[Tiste Simeon]

My bets: Brazil Vs Russia

Brazil wins 3-1 but Russia scores first.

Third place England beat France 2-0. Harry Kane to get Golden Boot.

[Tapper]

Uruguay to beat Switzerland 1-0 in an unwatchable final.
Belgium to beat Croatia 4-2 in the best game of the tournament.

Brazil to crash out against Mexico.

[Gorefest]

I also think Brazil is going to crash out early, most likely today against Mexico. Final: France - England.

[Malankazooie]

Ah booger sandwiches. One of my teams is out - Mexico. Damn, they made some noise by beating Germany in the opening match, but then that sizzle turned into noting but fizzle the rest of their showings. Chicharito was invisible. Little Pea? More like Little Pee because he had noting but a trickle of an impact. Dropping to Brazil is expected though. Just was wanting an uncanny win like they pulled off against Germany.

Want Japan to win, but now probably going to root for Belgium instead because they can beat Brazil. I want Brazil out. So lets go... erm, Japan! NO! Belgium!

[Gorefest]

Pfff, Belgium just barely scraped through.

[Mentalist]

Mexico failed to play competent team football. They've had at least 3 breaks in the second half where a player elected to shoot outside the box rather then pass. Brazil out-classed them, and that was that.

Japan's loss in the last minute of the added time, right after that phenomenal free kick by Honda (and an equally great save by Courtois) was just heart-breaking to watch. On the other hand, I was very impressed by the fact that Belgium managed to keep their composure after going down by 2 quick goals, and clawed their way back into the game. This kind of resolve is new to the team that's been regularly flaking out in major competitions, and it bodes well for their game against Brazil.

Denmark's keeper deserved the win. But I'd be terrified to have Denmark play Russia in the quarters, because then Russia would probably advance to the semis. Against Croatia, I'm actually feeling more confident they should lose.

Not sure about tomorrow's games. I got no stakes in them, so I'll just enjoy the quality football (hopefully)

[Dolmen 2.0]

I'll be honest, I am extremely disappointed with Neymars hyperbole. I knew it was bad but that foot stomp nearly sent him to the EU. Man up guy!

The Brazilian team was solid. will be tough ask to get past them but Germany proved how badly they do against clinical play.

I really wanted Japan to win! they are always my underdog team of choice. It's truly unfortunate they lost and the way that game went ANYONE could have won it.

[Hammerhead88]

Final - France -v- Crotia. 3-0 France.

Golden Boot - MBappe to nick it.

[Tiste Simeon]

Well, Sweden got through Malzankazooie, so you should be happy one of them did! Will face the winner of England vs Columbia...

[Malankazooie]

Yes sir! Sweden! First time making a World Cup qtr finals since like the 1950s or something. Of course, Germany not getting out of the group stage created that vacuum (and Mexico shitting the bed to end up second seed out of that group).

Now, I'm somewhat torn because I think Sweden would have a better chance against Colombia, but England is one of my "root for" teams prior to the World Cup kicking off. So, I think I'm still going to root for England. I just want to see how Sweden can stack up to such a loaded team.

[Gorefest]

Sweden was awful to watch. Why would you root for them to progress?

[Malankazooie]

90% of the matches in this World Cup have been awful to watch (and it's that way every World Cup). It's the nature of seeing one or two capable professional footballers go back to their national teams, only to be supported by crap talent around them. Awful football is nothing unique during the World Cup, in fact, it's the standard. It's more about liking a team/country you have connections with and rooting for them. And being happy and showing gratitude when they win.
# # # # # # # # #

TL;DR - Have fun and smile, kay?

[Gorefest]

Speaking of awful matches, England - Colombia is an absolute travesty. Wat a tearjerker. And now we have to suffer another 30 minutes of this rubbish. Piss poor.

[Gorefest]

I disagree by the way, we have seen some splendid matches. Spain-portugal, belgium-japan, france-argentina, there have been quite a few this tournament. But this is just shambolic.

[Gorefest]

YES!!!!!!! bloody hell that was tense. Pffff.

[Gorefest]

Dear gods that was stressful. I thought i would have an easy ride with the Netherlands not present, but clearly i am institutionalised.
We have just been playing three lions full volume in the living room.

This post has been edited by Gorefest: 03 July 2018 - 09:18 PM

[Malankazooie]

Wow. That was something. I shit myself a few times.

Oh and chief. I didn't say all matches were awful. I said 90% were. And based on the meager number you've cited as being "splendid", I think I win the argument, know what I'm sayin'. It's sport (which really is just another from of entertainment to give us a distraction what is going on in our lives). Like who you want to like. If someone else's favorite goes through then don't hate, instead, congratulate and celebrate, kay? Again, I implore you - have fun and smile, kay?

<GULP!> England v. Sweden. uh, yah Sweden?

[Gorefest]

Alas, football is passion, not friendly pats on the back and a heartfelt ‘well done’. I have no objectivity about teams that i support, no matter how crap, but i have little patience in general for teams that play just not to lose. Like Iceland or Sweden. It is negative and horrible to look at. I was brought up in the belief that in football it is better to go down in a glorious blaze than reach finals with drab unwatchable antifootball. So i have no respect whatsoever for teams that only show up to frustrate, even though i fully appreciate it is the only way for them to achieve success. I understnad it, but I dont respect it or enjoy it.

[Tattersail_]

I did aeroplanes around my living room, quietly as my girls in bed. You cannot beat that adrenaline rush. It makes you go crazy.

[Tiste Simeon]

Flipping heck. We won a penalty shootout. In the World Cup. For the first time ever. I honestly might cry. Colombia were an awfully dirty team, some horrendous fouling. Also, if they hadn't spent so much time harassing the ref, then there would have been less injury time making they wouldn't have got that goal. At least one of them should have been sent off...