[Mentalist]

Wow, Saudis are playing much better than I'd expect.

(The server at work's busted and the IT won't be around until 2. So I'm at a pub watching the game)

The lack of experience shows, ofc, but I actually find Saudis' game more enjoyable than whenever Uruguay gets the ball.

[Tiste Simeon]

Welp. Russia and Uruguay, ie the two teams I like the least in their group, have gone through. Hopefully that trend doesn't continue.

Morocco out too. If Iran can hold on against Spain I think we've got a very interesting situation happening in group B!

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 20 June 2018 - 06:01 PM

[Malankazooie]

Wow. Argentina nil / Croatia 2 with about 10 min to go. If I was the goalie for Argentina, I don't think I'd get on the airplane back home.

[Mentalist]

Yup, looks like it's curtains for Messi.

Unless Nigeria wins tomorrow, and then Argentina pulls off a 3:0 win against them in round 3

[Tiste Simeon]

I'd love Argentina to go out! Desperately want Iceland to beat Nigeria now!!

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 22 June 2018 - 03:51 AM

[Macros]

Take your united based hatred of Di Maria elsewhere!

[Gorefest]

At least we finally have the answer to the age-old question: who is better, Ronaldo or Messi? You won’t see Ronaldo strolling across the field forlornly in a sulk when 2-0 down.

[Tiste Simeon]

Macros, on 21 June 2018 - 09:19 PM, said:

Take your united based hatred of Di Maria elsewhere!

Haha I really liked him was quite sad to see him go because he was so much better than he ever showed.

[Mentalist]

Ouch. Is this the end of the Icelandic dream?

[Gorefest]

We can but hope. Very negative approach to football.

[Mentalist]

Gorefest, on 22 June 2018 - 05:27 PM, said:

We can but hope. Very negative approach to football.

Eh. They're one of those underdog stories that just tug the heartstrings. And, to be fair, they usually score nice setpiece goals.

They don't have a lot of depth, but as a team they do a only a few things, but they do them very well.
(Also, they took Ukraine's world cup spot, so I feel obligated to support them to justify us missing out on it)

[Gorefest]

Nah, it was nice two years ago at the Euros but now the novelty has worn off and really it is just very negative anti-football. Ultradefensive.

[Tiste Simeon]

Ah I'm gutted. Really wanted them to go far but can't see them beating Croatia. I bet Argentina scrape through again.

[Mentalist]

Gorefest, on 22 June 2018 - 06:35 PM, said:

Nah, it was nice two years ago at the Euros but now the novelty has worn off and really it is just very negative anti-football. Ultradefensive.

There are a ton of ultra-defensive teams in the top 20-40 teams. Arguably, Switzerland is the ur-ultradefensive team, but they are still fun to watch (imo).

[Mentalist]

Tiste Simeon, on 22 June 2018 - 06:46 PM, said:

Ah I'm gutted. Really wanted them to go far but can't see them beating Croatia. I bet Argentina scrape through again.

They beat them in the qualifiers, no?

Though I'll probably be watching Nigeria-Argentina, because that ought to be a firecracker.

[Mentalist]

Ooh, Swiss with a late-game winner!

I PVR'd both the Iceland and the Swiss games, so look forward to watching those at home.

(I didn't record the Brazil game, because this is exactly how I expected it to go: Brazil spending the whole game assaulting Navas' net, and eventually breaking through).

[Macros]

Iceland are a small small team with a tiny talent pool to work with.
They play the way they do because they HAVE to. And it's works. Fuck the haters

[amphibian]

Gorefest, on 22 June 2018 - 06:35 PM, said:

Nah, it was nice two years ago at the Euros but now the novelty has worn off and really it is just very negative anti-football. Ultradefensive.

It makes zero sense to criticize Iceland for their strategy given their talent pool. It is the only way they can compete.

It makes sense to criticize a Mourinho team for playing like this because he almost always has access to talent that is extremely good and he still makes them play that way.

This is like getting mad at someone for getting a bag of beans and a bad of rice to eat for the month when their food budget is $30 for that month vs getting mad at someone for getting fancier bags of beans and rice when their monthly food budget is $1000.

[Malankazooie]

In the pregame show, they said the average height of the Iceland team was 6ft. 2in. Which is tall in soccer/football terms. I can see why set pieces are where they butter their bread.

Also, just some random info. Did you guys know there are so few people who live in Iceland that there is an app that can help you determine if someone you fancy and wish to date is related to you?

[Gorefest]

I am not getting mad at all. I perfectly understand that they have to play this way and that it is very effective. But that doesnt change the fact that it just is bloody boring to watch and anti-football. I have no problems with Iceland, as I stated previously their goalkeeper is the former goalie of my own team. But after the novelty value wears off I dont see how a team can float indefinitely on the underdog vibe. I enjoy watching football, not Arkanoid.