All discussion from armchair Steins and Fergies here. Usual rules apply except World Cup referees are fair game in a World-Cup-Long Amnesty.
First game is on Thursday 12th June
Group A
Brazil v Croatia 2100 BST
Fill yerΒ boots folks!
171 thoughts on “Incorruptible FIFA World Cup Thread”
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“Fill yer boots folks!”
How sweetly ironic as that, it is alleged, is exactly what FIFA reps the world over have been doing for a number of years…
I’ll get my coat before someone Blatt(er)’s me over the heid…! π³
Test
Brazil surely going to beat Croatia, never know how nervy it’ll be though with the crowd expecting a big win. If Neymar performs in the same way he did in the confederations cup last year I have a sneak feeling he could be one of the players of the tournament, despite a so so season in Spain.
for anyone wanting to have an online bet for the world cup, most bookies are offering a deal upon the opening of an account
most of them can be found here http://www.oddschecker.com/free-bets
Word of warning. Read the terms of condition as some, for example, give you your free bet after your original bet is settled ( so if you bet on a country to win the tournament, you have to wait a while to get your free bet )
The best I have found are Coral ( bet Β£5 and get Β£20 free ), Paddypower ( bet Β£10, get Β£20 free bet ) and Betbright ( Β£30 risk free bet ie if you lose you get a free bet of the same value )
I’ve gone ‘large’ on Argentina π
good luck
p.s happy to answer any questions as I have opened 14 accounts so far π― (don’t tell mirrenwoman )
I suggest President Ogilvie (tax dodge EBT loan Β£95,000) arrange (together with Sepp Blatter) the first Incorruptible Intergalactic World Cup in Scotland.
Hampden can be sold and refurbished as a spaceport for incoming teams.
Qatar can be consulted regarding playing football in ‘alien environments’.
As hosts, we don’t have to qualify.
Think of the stellar income from the TV rights!
Ibrox intergalactic rental fees may even be enough to settle those onerous contracts once and for all.
What’s not to like?
Of course, the Ibrox board could come under fan pressure to deny the SFA use of the stadium for ‘Wee Green Men’ β they could be ‘enemies of Rangers’ β or worse, friends of Stephen Thompson! Mind you, Celtic Park or Easter Road could easily host those games.
Beam me aboard Scotty.
Australia and Algeria for full complement ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27777911
Ahh, those memories! Just like the “Golden Generation” tournament of 2006, which I had to endure in Middlesbrough.
Campbellsmoney `Shares` π
Here you go β Good Luck to all!!
TSFM`ers `Bagsies`
β’ Campbellsmoney β Uruguay
β’ SteveBC β USA
β’ ChristyBoy β Italy
β’ RyanGosling β Argentina
β’ KickerConspiracy β Germany
β’ MCFC β England
β’ Brenda β Spain
β’ Redlichtie β Brazil
β’ Ianmacant β Chile
β’ Smartie1947 β Scotland!
β’ Andy β Brazil
β’ Barcabhoy β Argentina
β’ CowanPete β Belgium
β’ TaratanWulwer β Belgium
β’ Cluster One β Mexico
β’ Para Handy β Netherlands
β’ Doonhammer β Portugal
β’ Danish Pastry β (DEN)
β’ twopanda β France
β’ Macfurgley β Uruguay
β’ Castofthousands β Ghana
β’ John Clark β Chile
β’ peterjung β South Korea
β’ sannoffymesssoitizz β Colombia
β’ Resin_lab_dog β England
β’ upthehoops β Germany
β’ Paulmac2 β Spain
β’ Matty Roth β Cameroon
β’ Tincks β CΓ΄te d’Ivoire
β’ JimBhoy β Argentina
β’ brigsbhoy β Spain
β’ oddjob β Argentina
β’ Jean7Brodie β EspaΓ±a
β’ ScottC β Croatia
β’ Grecian Urn β Portugal
β’ GallingFiver β Deutschland
β’ neepheid β Costa Rica
β’ Indy14 β Germany
β’ BillyJ1 β Espana
β’ Caveat Emptor β Italia
β’ Flocculent Apoidea β Sepp Blatter (SUI)
β’ Martin β Spain
β’ WeeScotsman β Germany
β’ y4rmy β England
β’ South0fThe Border – England
β’ Bill1903 – Argentina
β’ andygraham.66 – Italia
β’ ptd1978 βUruguay
β’ BlindSummit63 β Honduras
β’ Tic 6709 – Bosnia Herzegovina
β’ Joburgt1m β Uruguay
β’ Carfins Finest β Japan
β’ toadinthehole β Ecuador
β’ steph1895 β England
β’ MoreCelticParanoia β Iran
β’ Gym Trainer β Nigeria
β’ Cygnus X-1 β Russia
β’ Jimmy Bonez β Chile
β’ ernie β Greece
β’ BLU β Brazil
π
Getting very excited now
Worst commentary team on Earth. Townsend is an incoherent babbler of worst sort. Think Δ° will turn the volume off.
Honest mistake? π―
sannoffymesssoitizz says:
June 12, 2014 at 10:31 pm
1 0 Rate This
Honest mistake? π―
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Ah well the corporate sponsors will be happy, Sepp will be happy……and that’s what counts π
Watched the game in a bar full of Brazilians, [i.e. people.]
Started the game wanting Brazil to win in style: finished the game very disappointed that Croatia had been robbed of a deserved point.
Neymar should have been off: the ref saw it, but only produced a yellow ? He should have pretended he hadn’t seen it at all.
Disallowed goal was a shocker.
Immediate reaction on penalty was no way – but you could argue all day long on that one.
Whilst the football was patchy – especially in the first half – it was an exciting and controversial first game which had me engrossed.
And Oscar’s goal was a delightful, cheeky ‘toe-poke’ too… π
StevieBC says: June 12, 2014 at 11:20 pm
I thought that the “penalty” was “simulation” warranting a yellw card for Fred that would have been spotted by Additional Assistant Referees on each goal line, if FIFA were not at war with UEFA. π
You must have been watching too much SPFL football on the telly. The disallowed “goal” is only a “goal” in Scotland, where anyone is able to jump at an opposing goal keeper with impunity.
Everywhere else in the world it’s a foul on the ‘keeper. π
The award of a “penalty”changed the game and allowed Oscar the space to score the third?
parttimearab says: June 12, 2014 at 11:05 pm
And there was me thinking that it was just a coincidence that all of the major european national teams were drawn to play in the onerous (contract?) conditions in the tropical region of Brasil. π
Hopefully, I haven’t contracted (pun intended) Rangersitis β π³
I feel very let down by last night’s catalogue of honest mistakes. I can only imagine how a Croatian feels.
This competition has clearly become a money machine of such magnitude that certain outcomes simply cannot be allowed to happen. Brazil not qualifying from their group, for example.
I think the situation has echoes of the SPL TV contract- certain teams must hang around, or it’s armageddon, folks.
Just to add to the fun, I’ve just found out that Howard Webb is another fixture who must always be around. I thought his pathetic performance in the 2010 final would surely have marked the end of his international career. But no, he’s back. Astounding.
Well, with my Croatian hat on, I am very disappointed. I think it has been pre-determined that Brazil will win although I think their keeper might pose them a problem. He was flapping more than a Pelican after a heavy lunch.
I actually thought the penalty was a penalty, in the sense that there was definitely contact. It wasn’t enough to force the player to the ground of course, but how many times have we seen penalties not given because even through there is a clear foul the player didn’t go down so the ref assumes there was no foul. This interpretation has led to players going down when they don’t have to.
RyanGosling says: June 13, 2014 at 10:11 am
I see that you’re not a qualified football referee, then.
Every football pundit on UK TV and radio (apart from that eejit Mike Graham on Talksh1te radio) accepts that it was not a penalty as the contact was insufficient to amount to a “foul” per the Laws of Association Football.
For my tupenny bit…
The worst bit about the penalty decision, IMO, was that the referee appeared to pause and weigh up the pros & cons. I appreciate it requires a snap decision but, again IMO, his initial reaction was no pen’ he then thought it over and upon reflection “I better award a penalty here”! That was my take on it in real-time.
Maybe Croatia were hard done by but I think it’s stretching it a bit to suggest that the cup already has the winners’ name etched on and the whole tournament is a bogey. I mean c’mon chaps?!
No I’m not a qualified referee. But I’m watching the highlights again just now and I’m afraid I still think it’s a penalty. If I was the striker and the defender had his hands round my shoulders like that I’d be wanting a foul. It was definitely a soft one but I think it was the right decision.
MSM TV censorship – from Brasil ?
Unless I am just getting too cynical, but having watched news programmes over here which briefly showed the game’s highlights, they consistently failed to show either the Neymar yellow card – or the disallowed Croatia goal.
Did the news programmes elsewhere show these 2 incidents ?
I am guessing – so could be wrong – that these news clips are produced by the Brasil TV companies ?
So did they ‘censor’ out both incidents ?
Agreed, these clips are very limited in time duration – but the story was put across as Neymar the Golden Boy scoring 2 goals to save Brasil – whereas IMO, the most crucial decision / highlight of the game was not sending off Neymar – and that was when Brasil was losing by one goal.
Are the TV news programmes’ highlights going to be ‘censored’ throughout the tournament ?
I said that half jestingly causaludendi, as Croatia were my bagsie π
Croatia had their chances. Decisions on Penalties a lottery these days in any game.
Croatia keeper didn`t have a good day at the office. But the disallowed Croatia goal was odd IMO.
Whilst watching the game yesterday, my Peruvian colleague reminded me about the ’78 World Cup… π
And the Evening Times has added a timely reminder / photo of the ‘pre-tournament victory parade’ at Hampden.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/memories/premature-party-for-tartan-army-167142n.24457789
scottc says:
June 13, 2014 at 4:18 pm
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Sincerest apologies Scottc, I’ve not been keeping my eye on the bagsies… Mon the Croatia, we wis robbed, gemme’s a bogey, Blatter oot!! π π
My team Mexico won π Bring it on
Don’t know if it’s an omen for the second half but Tesco just turned up with my box of Spanish white wine π
2-1 to the Dutch so it would seem not…
Hmm…it would seem that online grocery deliveries are not the greatest tool for predicting football results…..just as well I don’t have an online bookie π π
Suspect England are going to get properly humped by the Italians tonight. π₯
Please be gentle with myself, MUFC and others of the English persuasion.
I actually think England will get a result tonight, they’re picking a young aggressive attacking team and they may well win by a couple. Good luck to them, I’ll be supporting them.
Really looking forward to a quality game between Italy and England…but have no idea who FIFA has decided will win… π
Tincks says:
June 14, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Suspect England are going to get properly humped by the Italians tonight. π₯
Please be gentle with myself, MUFC and others of the English persuasion.
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I suspect our esteemed contributor mCfc may take that as a double insult. π π
KC/MCFC
Apologies if I’ve boobed
Admiring Italy passing it around in defence while under pressure, one goal ahead and minutes to play. If that were Scotland it would be punts up the pitch as accurate and useful as Wayne Rooney corners.
Kicker Conspiracy says:
June 15, 2014 at 12:58 am
‘Admiring Italy passing it around in defence while under pressure, one goal ahead and minutes to play. If that were Scotland it would be punts up the pitch as accurate and useful as Wayne Rooney corners.’
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And Italy were indeed under quite considerable pressure. I thought it was a great match altogether, with the BBC ‘pundits’ being reasonably objective in their observations and not into the kind of arrogant sense of entitlement and assertion of superiority that we have become accustomed to, and detest so much.
I watched the game with something approaching neutrality. Well, that’s maybe overstating it a bit, but if they had won or drawn, I don’t think I would have been too phased , on the merits.
It’s been quite a good world cup so far, with all the games ( that i have seen) been worth paying to see.
He may not be the best defender, he may not be the best tackler in the World but when Perlo recieves the ball he’s different class, World class. Like others on here I had a great deal of sympathy for England last night, played well and deserved a draw. It was refreshing not to hear the panel and commentary team tear the team and individual performances apart and bleat about the managers team selection.
John Clark I’d agree that it’s been a great World Cup so far, much better than the last one for sure at this stage
Briggsbhoy I agree with you also, thought it was a nice change to see the pundits not ripping into England for a change and almost just accepting the result. I thought England were the better team, had Italy under pressure for long spells but just weren’t clinical enough, while Italy only really had two chances but took them superbly. Based on what I saw yesterday I’d expect England and Italy to go through.
Kicker Conspiracy says:
June 15, 2014 at 12:58 am
“Admiring Italy passing it around in defence while under pressure, one goal ahead and minutes to play. If that were Scotland it would be punts up the pitch as accurate and useful as Wayne Rooney corners.”
Actually this is no longer the case. strachan has obviously been getting his players to try and keep the ball. It was most notable at the end of the win over Croatia. On the other hand you will wait a long time to see an SPFL team keep possesion when under pressure at the end of a game.
joe millers shorts says:
June 15, 2014 at 11:09 am
Actually this is no longer the case. strachan has obviously been getting his players to try and keep the ball. It was most notable at the end of the win over Croatia. On the other hand you will wait a long time to see an SPFL team keep possesion when under pressure at the end of a game.
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Yeah fair enough.
To drift a bit further off topic, I think to be honest I’d defend players in this country who just kick the ball as hard as they can when under pressure because it’s often a panic reaction to the shrieking voices of their teammates, management and fans telling them to do just that. I’ve certainly seen that plenty of times.
First time since 1934 there’s been no draw in the opening nine games of a World Cup. What a tournament so far. Switzerland getting that winner with the last kick of the ball was a thrilling end to a great game. Bring on the next one.
As a Rangers fan it’s a rare treat to be able to just enjoy football for a change! Although comments on the main thread are always there to dull my happy mood πΏ
ITV’s coverage makes me want to cut off my ears and burn them.
It’s times like this that I don’t begrudge a licence fee. If only because the BBC seem not to be putting on amateur hour.
If I was a sponsor paying for a slot between some of that rubbish I’d not be happy about it.
Is it just me or does izaguire often look like an extra in Bugsy Malone
Readcelt the BBC coverage is generally better but it was rather embarrassing earlier in the France game how long the commentator took to realise that the goal line technology had examined two incidents and that while the first one was not over the line, the second was. He seemed to refuse to realise for quite some time that it had looked at two different incidents! π³
Didn’t like what I saw tonight with Izaguire, nasty
Record Sport tweeting that he’s doing Scottish Football proud.
That BBC commentator chappie during the France game was terrible. His deadpan delivery with his voice trailing away makes him sound so weary of what he is watching.
Honduras were nasty and the referee bottled sending off more of them.
Campbell, I agree
Thoroughly enjoyed the England game – and thought they played rather well.
Sterling looked good, but commentators over here were scathing about Baines and Rooney – and one decent cross aside – I wonder if Hodgson would be ‘allowed’ to start Rooney on the bench?
Committed, high tempo game – with minimal theatrics.
If England carry on playing like that I might end up cheering them on. π―
…and Pirlo was peerless…
Whatever the quality and excitement of the football on show,there seems to be something rotten at the heart of this World Cup.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/16/world-cup-2014-17-pictures-of-shocking-violence-police-open-live-fire-anti-fifa-protesters_n_5498351.html?utm_hp_ref=uk
The England game was one of the best so far and neither side deserved to lose. The difference between the teams, to me, was Hart. Every time I see him play I can’t help but think he is at best average, he was slow off the mark for the first goal and at the second, his positioning was so bad he may as well have been on the halfway line.
Brazil v Mexico shaping up to be a great game.
Mexico…….still in it.
thanks to the keeper
Well rather than Belgium – Chile could be the dark horses of the tournament.
And it would be nice, if for their last meaningless game, Spain fielded all the players in the squad who haven’t played yet.
…and Casillas seems to have taken a dramatic drop in form.
Spains failure due to these 2 factors?
http://mattysfootythoughts.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/doping-in-football-including-fuentes-role-in-the-dark-side-of-the-beautiful-game/
Then the tightening up?
http://www.lawyerherald.com/articles/5845/20140617/fifa-clears-all-world-cup-players-who-subjected-to-drug-testing-ahead-of-tournament.htm
That’s my assessment.
Good riddance.
Never seen a team come from ordinary to world beaters so quick in my long life.
Thing is who are the doctors working for now?
Ianagain.
Sorry to disagree.
What we have seen tonight is the end of an era for Spanish football, the end of a group of players who have given us tremendous entertainment over the last 6 years (at least). Too many of their quality players have grown old at the same time, and too many teams have figured out how to play against them.
To suggest as I believe you do that their success was due in part to blood doctoring does them a great disservice.
They were a magnificent team, the question is who will replace them?
Being in Alicante at their hotel at the Scotland game I can only say at check in I was astounded at the amount of medical professionals attending ( Like a mini BMA convention). Notwithstanding the 8 ambulances in the hotel garage. I too applauded them until the judge binned all their samples.
Too big too fail another example. Sorry.
Looking forward to the Engand game: feels a bit weird but think I’ll be cheering them on if they play like they did against Italy.
And even if Suarez is declared fit, will he be match-fit ? I think his last game would have been for Liverpool about 6 weeks ago ?
Should be entertaining though as a draw is of no use to either team.
StevieBC it’s one of the more interesting games left. If both teams repeat their form of their previous matches I think England will run out comfortable winners. As you say, Suarez is unlikely to be match fit, in fact in a lot of World Cup campaigns in recent years when a star player has rushed back from injury to make the finals they generally have under performed.
I told you Suarez was not match-fit… π‘
Absorbing first half, and hope he manages to complete the 90 minutes – but still think England will get a win.
Will be an interesting second half for sure. England have to come out all guns blazing or they’re going home for sure.
ianagain says:
June 18, 2014 at 10:59 pm
3 1 Rate This
Being in Alicante at their hotel at the Scotland game I can only say at check in I was astounded at the amount of medical professionals attending ( Like a mini BMA convention). Notwithstanding the 8 ambulances in the hotel garage. I too applauded them until the judge binned all their samples.
Too big too fail another example. Sorry.
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Tennis players and other athletes too. Their sportsmen and sportswomen should be banned from all competition until they come clean, imo. Goodnight Spain, you will not be missed.
Who else thinks they saw a bloke in one of those new Scotland Tops celebrating with Uruguay fans after Suarez scored his second goal ?
Suarez deserves a Wow Just Wow ! π
he indeed had the Scotland and was waving a Saltire
grecian urn says:
June 19, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Never saw the Saltire, I wonder if he was a Scot, I would think he was. Nut job if he’s out there celebrating after the game.
I was listening to 5 live as the second half started and the knives were coming out.
Briggsbhoy I think he will be alright hopefully, saw plenty of tv pictures of opposition fans hugging and stuff. Only trouble we’ve heard of so far has been Brazilian protests, let’s hope it stays that way. I’ve got a few mates out there and they’ve all had an awesome time so far.
Knives are definitely coming out though. Some of the early articles are shocking. Seems like the words “they were better than us” are not known to the English press.
England need to dump Rooney. I thought he was poor in both games, but apart from that, he seems to unbalance the team. Better without him, in my opinion.
Neepheid
His movement for the goal was very good. Personally I don’t think he was particularly better or worse than anyone in the team, and on the evidence of that game Gerrard and Jagielka were far more worthy of criticism. I think it is Rooneys profile rather than performance that draws the critics. His record at this tournament reads that he had a hand in both of England’s goals so far, not to be sniffed at.
Further to all of my comments, I just bloody wish Scotland were at this, it would be so much more exciting. I was spoiled growing up with almost ever present qualification. Pity the kids nowadays.
Interesting article on why Scots want England to lose. And he predicted the outcome tonight.
http://deadclydeside.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/706/