World Cup 2018

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by ronsmac

Watch the replay and tell me he bounced the ball every 3rd step. Either the rule is different now or not enforced.

I stand corrected. The rule has changed since the time I played. I wish that was the rule then. I hated having to keep track of how many steps I was taking.

[ronsmac]

I haven't made any bets since April, and I'm feeling like a relapsing dope fiend. So I'm going to make the hour long trek to Delaware Park after work and blow87th my cash on Friday and Saturday's world cup matches.

[snappit]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

Well done, England

I'm sure many a local was packed last night.
Plenty of sore heads this morning I'll bet, as well.

I've supported Manchester United for 50 years now.
The English national team is long overdue some success.

Thanks. I'll even forgive you being a Man U supporter. The pubs did huge business although we have a beer shortage over her due to the football, very hot weather and a European wide CO2 shortage. My local ran out the other day, they had lager and cider on tap but no ale. It sounds odd that we are getting so excited about reaching the last eight but being the first knockout game we've won for twelve years and to do it on penalties for the first time in a WC made it special. A massive 24 million watched the game on TV over here, 80% of the TV audience, with over 3 million streaming live on the internet. Think it will be even higher on Saturday.

Here are some pictures and a video to show what it's like. Love the picture of people in the street watching the game through a house window. I'm sure these scenes have been repeated in other countries all over the world. Let's hope it's the same on Saturday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-44710354

YouTube

[snappit]

Well now it's Brazil that are out and it is now basically a European Championship. Really enjoyed that game and thought Belgium were superb for much of it although they got tired later and it seemed Brazil were going to get back into it. This will be the first ever World Cup that at least one from Germany, Brazil and Argentina aren't represented in the semi finals.

I thought France looked very good today and it will be a great encounter between them and Belgium in the semi's.

With two quarter finals to be played on Saturday best odds available with various bookmakers over here are.

France 2/1
Belgium 5/2
England 4/1
Croatia 6/1
Russia 20/1
Sweden 22/1

[ronsmac]

Originally Posted by snappit

Well now it's Brazil that are out and it is now basically a European Championship. Really enjoyed that game and thought Belgium were superb for much of it although they got tired later and it seemed Brazil were going to get back into it. This will be the first ever World Cup that at least one from Germany, Brazil and Argentina aren't represented in the semi finals.

I thought France looked very good today and it will be a great encounter between them and Belgium in the semi's.

With two quarter finals to be played on Saturday best odds available with various bookmakers over here are.

France 2/1
Belgium 5/2
England 4/1
Croatia 6/1
Russia 20/1
Sweden 22/1

I was at Delaware Park casino last night and France went from 7/2 to 3-1 to 14/5 in a span of 15 minutes.

[PhantomOnTour]

Thierry Henry, among the greatest French players of all time, is on Belgium's coaching staff.....sabotage!!!!
He's gonna get mind f***ed trying to scheme against his home country.
France wins

[thaskalos]

FRANCE 1, BELGIUM 3

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

FRANCE 1, BELGIUM 3

I agree that Belgium will win.

There is no better midfield combination right now
than Hazard and De Bruyne. It's going to take
an exceptional performance to beat them.

[bobphilo]

England are all over Sweden leading 2 nil. Oddly enough, Kane had no part in either goal with Sterling doing a ton of running and giving the Swedish defense fits.

[RunForTheRoses]

Went to Monmouth today for a few hours, absolutely gorgeous day, place was busy but not dreadfully so.

Anyway, I bet a parlay with the R/C game UN 2. Is this a push or did I lose?TIA.

I'm not too familiar with soccer, saw the clock reach 90 minutes and thought that was it. Watching, it is real exciting if you look closely. Will have to watch the remainder.

[snappit]

Well I'm having to pinch myself. I, like most others here, never thought we would really be in this position now with such a young and experienced team and whatever happens now we are proud of our team. The first time we've got to the WC semi's since 1990, a night I remember well. They have been superb and answered every question they've been asked. I was one of those that was nervous about our goalie Jordan Pickford but what can I say? In the last two games he has been magnificent. Just four teams left and we have Croatia. They can play well when they want to and it will be really tough but let us dream.

Every member of the team has been great but so much of this has to do with our manager Gareth Southgate. He's quiet, dignified and treats all the players with respect and they clearly respect him. So different to most managers who shout and bully. Back in 1996 we reached the semi final of the European Championship against Germany. The match went to a penalty shoot out and he missed his knocking us out. I'm so pleased for him more than anything.

Latest Odds

France 2/1
England 11/4
Belgium 11/4
Croatia 9/2

[PhantomOnTour]

Don't forget that Belgium was getting HOUSED by lowly Japan before their miracle comeback. Truth be known, a wiser and more conservative approach from Japan in the last 30mins would have sent Belgium home.
They continued to press and play aggressive when up 2-0, and they ran out of gas. That's the only reason Belgium are still around.
They can be had, esp when facing a very formidable French team.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by PhantomOnTour

Don't forget that Belgium was getting HOUSED by lowly Japan before their miracle comeback. Truth be known, a wiser and more conservative approach from Japan in the last 30mins would have sent Belgium home.
They continued to press and play aggressive when up 2-0, and they ran out of gas. That's the only reason Belgium are still around.
They can be had, esp when facing a very formidable French team.

I see it the opposite way. Belgium was careless against Japan...because they were basking in their own publicity. After the mighty scare that they went through...I think France will get Belgium's undivided attention.

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

Went to Monmouth today for a few hours, absolutely gorgeous day, place was busy but not dreadfully so.

Anyway, I bet a parlay with the R/C game UN 2. Is this a push or did I lose?TIA.

I'm not too familiar with soccer, saw the clock reach 90 minutes and thought that was it. Watching, it is real exciting if you look closely. Will have to watch the remainder.

Your total bet is a push.
90 mins plus added stoppage time is what counts for the purposes of this wager.

[ronsmac]

This has been one of the most entertaining World Cups ever and so far profitable for me. However, by far the best thing to come out of this year's World Cup is the Neymar challenge. It's absolutely hilarious.