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#1

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Syt - Today at 05:50:14 AM

So I learned that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierbattista_Pizzaballa

How is anyone supposed to take someone with the name "Pizzaballa" serious? That's like a joke name you give an Italian character on an 80s sitcom.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Syt - Today at 05:45:59 AM

Was just checking, Italy has really gone downhill since their last World Cup win (much like Germany ... )

#3

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Syt - Today at 03:48:54 AM

The spitting incident of Italy 1990 springs to mind, with Rijkaard just losing the plot completely against Rudi Völler. I am fairly certain Völler was a complete asshole.

I think that was the last really bad incident (Rijkaard was nicknamed the llama afterwards in Germany). It's been more of ribbing each other since the 2000s-ish.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by HVC - Today at 03:47:07 AM

I approve of the hatred of the dutch. As martha would say, it's a good thing. 

#5

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Syt - Today at 03:39:15 AM

There's also the whole WW2 thing. I had a Dutch coworker, and she said her dad (who was a kid during WW2) didn't talk to her for years after she married a German.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 03:22:05 AM

What does the treaty of alliance between the UK and the gulf states say?

"We'll stash our money at your football clubs, you keep quiet about 'human rights'", I'd wager.

Plus oil and gas.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by Norgy - Today at 03:07:50 AM

What does the treaty of alliance between the UK and the gulf states say?

"We'll stash our money at your football clubs, you keep quiet about 'human rights'", I'd wager.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Norgy - Today at 03:03:17 AM

I don't think we'd do this with Italy or even England ... our "big" rivalry remains with the Dutch. Less vitriolic than it used to be, thankfully.

It comes back to the 1974 World Cup, does it not? Both teams were sure they were the best with Beckenbauer and Cruyff on each side. It was West Germany's to win, and the Netherlands' to lose. The German players said the Dutch were arrogant in their playstyle. This was the era of "total football", no-one really knew where 14 Cruyff played on the field. West Germany was known for "machine football", as in that their players never gave up.

The spitting incident of Italy 1990 springs to mind, with Rijkaard just losing the plot completely against Rudi Völler. I am fairly certain Völler was a complete asshole.

Neighbours are neighbours, you'll always want to outdo them. National pride is a strange thing. Speaking of which, it has been some time since Norway played Sweden or Denmark.

Norway did, however, play the Netherlands in a friendly. That did not end well.

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: Crusader Kings III

Last post by Syt - Today at 02:56:55 AM

#10

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Norgy - Today at 02:38:44 AM

Spurs hired De Zerbi. I'll be switching allegiances, I can't support this guy.

There is room in the Languish Forest camp. 

Of course, it means you will have to live with our big lump of a reserve striker Lucca, who's better on Instagram than with his feet. I think the only way he can monetise those feet is on OnlyFans.
He was selected by Gattuso for one of the Norway matches.

Which may be why Italy fails again. Bosnia-Hercegovina is of the tradition of Yugoslavian teams, good on the ball, skillful. Now with some tactical skill too.