Post: #201

(10-12-2017 08:15 AM)godzilla Wrote:  When it comes to these global competitions. Americans not only root for USA but also their country of ancestry. So there is often a lack of national pride in soccer. I myself often root for France during the world cup. I know everyone who lives here probably has a friend who busts out his euro soccer gear every 4 years. We also have 40 million mexicans who usually root for Mexico. When we play Mexico in so cal. Its often a home game for Mexico.

The only people who truly identify as american are from the South. And the only thing they give a shot about is american football

There's your answer then, unless you fix that and start rooting for your own country and "putting in the effort" nothing will change.

(10-12-2017 09:49 AM)NomadofEU Wrote:  Countries that have achieved a nationally established style of play will almost always be at the top:
Brazil
Germany
Netherlands
Argentina
Italy
Spain (most recently)

Reason being that no matter how many talents any of the above countries produce, no matter what clubs those talents play for, when it comes time to play for the national team, players are able to easily default back into the style of play they grew up with and cohesion with teammates is no problem.

The Premier League is great and all, as are English players, but it's also the reason why their national team fails. They have no established national style because their nation's league is so diverse not only with players but coaches as well.

This is true but doesn't tell the whole story. Germany made a 180 on its style of play in the last few years, used to be all about slugging it out and now Germans play some of the finest footy around. Also the Bundesliga style of pressing and counterattacking doesn't necessarily reflect their international style. Spain always had a sophisticated style, they were probably "due" a good generation and a good run.

England are chronic underachievers but the EPL is (in)famous for being physical and quick up-and-down footy. They probably do lack a bit of a cohesive playing culture when it comes to internationals but at some point they'll fix that. Their U17 won the WC and their U21 lost to Germany predictably on pens so they have talent coming through the ranks. At some point they are due a good run.

Post: #202

Sad that Wales didn't make it, but there's one thing I'm majorly looking forward to/hoping for:

People have the mistaken belief that the top 4 UEFA second places get "seeded", but the seeding is actually based on FIFA rankings for October. The September rankings were as follows:

Switzerland 7
Italy 17
Croatia 18
Northern Ireland 20
Sweden 23
Denmark 26
Republic of Ireland 34
Greece 47

So if Northern Ireland can hang on to be among the top 4, we have a 25% shot at Northern Ireland vs. Republic of Ireland to get into the World Cup. That would certainly be something... we'll find out the rankings when they're up the 16th, then the draw the 17th.

Post: #203

I already know that in 8 months time, my beloved England are going to toy with my emotions like no woman or film ever could.

I just want the lads to give it their all. My main worry is Southgate. He, like Hodgson before him, has his firm favourites who get picked no matter how bad they are. Henderson, Bertrand, Smalling, Sterling, etc.

I think the loss vs Trinidad and Tobago might have brought down the US supporters a peg.

Post: #204

(10-13-2017 04:13 PM)britchard Wrote:  I just want the lads to give it their all. My main worry is Southgate. He, like Hodgson before him, has his firm favourites who get picked no matter how bad they are. Henderson, Bertrand, Smalling, Sterling, etc.

Yeah, the FA seem to want 'yes' men who will not challenge them. They should give the job to someone leftfield. Appointing Hodgson then Southgate was only ever going to produce the same old boring stuff. I don't mind them losing, but it's the lacklustre, "Well, we're out of ideas so let's hoof it" exits of recent tournaments that irk me. We always used to lose gloriously, but now we just lose.

vs Lithuania was the first match I've gotten so bored I just turned over.

Post: #205

I applied for tickets....and so did many friends and relatives, including my 79 year old grandpa. Be absolutely amazing to win tickets, so I can show him around in Russia. He's been wanting to do that trip for ages, and now my Russian is at conversational level, so it'll be helpful in getting around.

The first round random draw should happen in the next few weeks.

Really want to go to Sochi and Kazan, Group B has those cities

Fingers crossed.

Post: #206

Applied for my England to the final ticket alone as most friends are not bothering.

Post: #207

http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/r...index.html

New rankings out.

Denmark and NI swap places, so seeding for playoffs tomorrow:


Seeded: Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark.

Unseeded: Norn Iron, Sweden, ROI, Greece.


We jump 14 places and are hot on the US's tail.

Post: #208

Yesterday, I was looking at ticket prices. Turns out, if you're Russian, you pay a lot less. And my brain goes racing...are Ruskies allowed to buy tickets at low prices and later sell them to tourists? Seems like a good idea.

I see the cheapest price for 1 ticket is 100$, if you're not a local.

Post: #209

Heh, welcome to Russia.



https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/corruption-rank

Post: #210

(10-16-2017 11:23 AM)Cation Wrote:  Yesterday, I was looking at ticket prices. Turns out, if you're Russian, you pay a lot less. And my brain goes racing...are Ruskies allowed to buy tickets at low prices and later sell them to tourists? Seems like a good idea.

I see the cheapest price for 1 ticket is 100$, if you're not a local.

That's how I bought in Brazil. From local people. I paid $5 for few matches.

Post: #211

(10-16-2017 05:36 PM)Rossi Wrote:  

(10-16-2017 11:23 AM)Cation Wrote:  Yesterday, I was looking at ticket prices. Turns out, if you're Russian, you pay a lot less. And my brain goes racing...are Ruskies allowed to buy tickets at low prices and later sell them to tourists? Seems like a good idea.

I see the cheapest price for 1 ticket is 100$, if you're not a local.

That's how I bought in Brazil. From local people. I paid $5 for few matches.

Interesting. Were there any rules against local people reselling?

I thought they would make it hard to do.

Post: #212

(10-16-2017 05:48 AM)Renton1875 Wrote:  http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/r...index.html

New rankings out.

Denmark and NI swap places, so seeding for playoffs tomorrow:


Seeded: Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark.

Unseeded: Norn Iron, Sweden, ROI, Greece.


We jump 14 places and are hot on the US's tail.

Damn, the dream of an all-Irish playoff is dead due to the Denmark surge. So sad.

Only seeded team I'd like to see make it is Italy (ideally they draw Greece, the least deserving team) but Switzerland's too damn good. I guess Sweden will be the odd one out so I'll hope for

Italy-Greece
Switzerland-Sweden
Croatia-ROI
Denmark-Northern Ireland

Post: #213

I see all the seeded teams winning their play offs. Denmark is the least of 'em but should still be able to win it I think.

Post: #214

Northern Ireland vs Switzerland
Croatia vs Greece
Denmark vs Republic of Ireland
Sweden vs Italy

Quite a draw, fairly evenly matched. Any of those games could go any way.

Post: #215

I hope Croatia gets Greece. I hate the Greek style of play. Defensive play makes for boring football. I would be overjoyed to see them failing to qualify.

Post: #216

(10-16-2017 05:48 AM)Renton1875 Wrote:  http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/r...index.html

New rankings out.

Denmark and NI swap places, so seeding for playoffs tomorrow:


Seeded: Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark.

Unseeded: Norn Iron, Sweden, ROI, Greece.


We jump 14 places and are hot on the US's tail.

My home country Tunisia jumped to the 28 First african and arab country

I am glad to this small country which dominate all sports in africa 9( the strongest country in Soccer- Handball- Basketball and voleyball) despite there is only 12 millions people living there

Post: #217

Final games that matter for qualification start today:

Northern Ireland vs Switzerland (today and sunday)
Croatia vs Greece (today and sunday)
Sweden vs Italy (friday and monday)
Denmark vs Ireland (saturday and tuesday)

Honduras vs Australia (friday and wednesday)

New Zealand vs Peru (friday and wednesday)

Tunesia vs. Libya and DRC vs Guinea (saturday)
Ivory Coast vs Morocco (Saturday)

In group D all is open still: Senegal 8p - Burkina Faso 6p - Capeverdie 6p - South Africa 4p

South Africa vs Senegal (friday)

Senegal vs South Africa en Burkina Faso vs Capeverdie (tuesday)

Post: #218

I’ve applied for tickets for the World Cup, but haven’t heard back from FIFA as yet. If they do give me tickets, I’ll be there. That’s a pretty big if though, since the demand is supposedly high.

Which is surprising because with all the anti Russia propaganda, I thought most people would be scared out of going. Maybe more people are seeing through it than I thought.

Post: #219

4:1 Croatian win!

That was a deserved victory if I ever saw one.

Digital...

Anti-Russian propaganda? Where? Please let me quote Morrissey on that. "America is not the world"

Post: #220

^
Advantage seeded teams.

Turned out easy for Croatia in the end, Greek defence were pretty poor from the highlights I.'ve seen.

The penalty for Switzerland against Northern Ireland was a joke, can't see how you can give that.


4.40 mark for the penalty incident:

Post: #221

(11-09-2017 02:14 PM)Digital007 Wrote:  I’ve applied for tickets for the World Cup, but haven’t heard back from FIFA as yet. If they do give me tickets, I’ll be there. That’s a pretty big if though, since the demand is supposedly high.

Which is surprising because with all the anti Russia propaganda, I thought most people would be scared out of going. Maybe more people are seeing through it than I thought.

So you can't just buy tickets, you have to apply for them?

Aloha!

Post: #222

(11-09-2017 02:14 PM)Digital007 Wrote:  I’ve applied for tickets for the World Cup, but haven’t heard back from FIFA as yet. If they do give me tickets, I’ll be there. That’s a pretty big if though, since the demand is supposedly high.

Which is surprising because with all the anti Russia propaganda, I thought most people would be scared out of going. Maybe more people are seeing through it than I thought.

Got an application in for a few games aswell. Not fussed about sports much now due to the crap that surrounded them recently but would take a ticket if I got one.

Post: #223

(11-09-2017 06:32 PM)Kona Wrote:  

(11-09-2017 02:14 PM)Digital007 Wrote:  I’ve applied for tickets for the World Cup, but haven’t heard back from FIFA as yet. If they do give me tickets, I’ll be there. That’s a pretty big if though, since the demand is supposedly high.

Which is surprising because with all the anti Russia propaganda, I thought most people would be scared out of going. Maybe more people are seeing through it than I thought.

So you can't just buy tickets, you have to apply for them?

Aloha!

Lottery system.

Looks like it's curtains for Norn Iron, lost at home to the Swiss.

Post: #224

Switzerland and Croatia both teams which should be in the World cup based on their quality. Both teams that can get a surprise victory over one of the favourites. Trust me a team like Brazil or Argentina does not want to play Croatia. On a bad day for them the midfield with Modric and Rakitic will dominate and killers like Perisic, Mandzukic or Kalinic will finish them off. That is the beauty of the tournament, you can lose a game against a team like that as a favourite and then you are already playing with fear against teams in the group stage like Nigeria, Mexico, Japan,... another misstep and your out.

Post: #225

Wé are going to Russia!!!!!!!

Celebrated that win with 20 years old fresh pussy last night

Now, let's beat France again To make our people happy again