Fakin' Primadonnas Rollin' round on Grass, A beautiful game.

[FaultyMario]

Less than a month away from Brazil's World Cup.

Answer poll, comment.

[FaultyMario]

Oh, and Captain America's (https://twitter.com/search?q=NoLandonDonovan&src=typd) been cut out.

He should come end his career playing for Club América just for shit and giggles. And all the money he'd pocket. It's a match made in heaven.

[Blerpa]

Quite displeased. We, Italy, are the second team who have won the cup most times (5 Brazil, 4 Italy) and yet you managed to not put it there and to have there hopeless United States and retarded "look we are CR7's boys band" Portugal?
Pfttt.

[FaultyMario]

I honestly completely forgot about you guys, I wanted to pick 2 nations per group. but when that wasn't possible (15 poll options, max) I went and quickly skimmed thru the groups... I was surprised to see Chile, I thought they didn't make it thru, but anyway, my sincere apology Blerps!

[Phil_SS]

Croatia FTW!

Though my favorite player does play for Chile, Arturo Vidal.

[George]

i voted for Cameroon because he seems like a cool guy.

[Rare White Ape]

When you say "primadonnas rollin' round on grass" you mean after they've been slightly brushed across the upper arm and they take a huge dive like it's the end of the world because they're hoping for a free kick, yeah?

[FaultyMario]

:smh: Haters gonna hate.

http://madrid-barcelona.com/data/articulos/2012/02/17/alves-candidato-al-piscinazo-del-ano/4f3e2fe5267df.jpg
http://www.ronaldo7.net/gallery/game/29_10_2011/ronaldo26.jpg
http://www.orgullosodesercule.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/El-piscinazo-de-Gareth-Bale-contra-el-Sevilla.jpg

[Blerpa]

Mario, it's ok. It's just some choices are a bit bogus... like Cameroon. And aside from Italy, no Switzerland, Belgium or Ghana is there, for example. ;)

[tigeraid]

http://youtu.be/O2ioB_6Aifg

[Rare White Ape]

:smh: Haters gonna hate.

I don't hate futbol, I quite like it.

I do hate the divers, however. It wrecks the game.

[neanderthal]

I don't hate futbol, I quite like it.

I do hate the divers, however. It wrecks the game.

This. With a vengeance.

Cameroon and Ghana. And Nigeria.

[Rikadyn]

Where is the protesters option

[Drachen596]

Soccer is good for some but I just cant get into it. 90 minute games and its fine to end with a tie? No thanks.

diving in any sport should be a suspendable offense not just a penalty. I hate it in every sport.

[player2]

diving in any sport should be a suspendable offense not just a penalty. I hate it in every sport.

Er, even "diving"?

[player2]

PS. England listed twice. Why did all England supporters vote for them in position 13 rather than position 5 on the list?

[FaultyMario]

I do hate the divers, however. It wrecks the game.

I hate absurd theatricality, speaking of which, I hate wankers like Cronaldo.

Gareth Bale scores the title-winning goal in a closely quarreled game in which he'd been as exciting as a bottle of valium, the man has every right to celebrate.
Cronaldo, posing shirtless at the corner flag, hands to the waist, colgate smile on... you'd think Portugal had just came back from a 2 goal deficit to Brazil. In Maracana. Nope, he scored from a penalty kick against an emotionally destroyed team when his was two-up already.

Mad props to Angel DiMaria, crazy game he gave.

[FaultyMario]

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0200/5020/products/usa_heathergrey_large.jpg?v=1400524915

Looks cool, but I like Lobanovsky's and Italia's more.
(http://footytees.com/collections/all)

[G'day Mate]

Er, even "diving"?

Especially in diving.

In the meantime Australia has slipped to 59th in the FIFA world rankings! When did that happen? We were in the 20s not long ago :smh: For such a proud sporting nation we sure do suck at soccer.

On top of this our pool contains Spain (ranked #1), the Netherlands (#8) and Chile (#12) - we'll be lucky to even draw a game.

[Godson]

homer choice here

[overpowered]

In the meantime Australia has slipped to 59th in the FIFA world rankings! When did that happen? We were in the 20s not long ago :smh: For such a proud sporting nation we sure do suck at soccer.

Haw! Haw!

The U.S. is 14th.

[Alan P]

Some friendly results for WC teams:

Japan 1-0 Cyprus
France 4-0 Norway France played very well and won at a canter
Australia 1-1 South Africa
Belgium 5-1 Luxembourg Win was to be expected. A clean sheet was also expected. Lukaku hat trick though and he is likely to start in Brazil after Benteke's injury.

[FaultyMario]

In the meantime Australia has slipped to 59th in the FIFA world rankings! When did that happen? We were in the 20s not long ago .

Well we're the the 12th biggest world economy. Do you see mexicans on the streets protesting that our Gini Index actually places us in 61st place?
That's what I thought.
http://static1.quien.com/media/2014/05/27/620x366x40527026.jpg.pagespeed.ic.betXJjLfDI.jpg

[GreatScawt]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/05/28/316409866/to-win-wear-red-stephen-hawking-advises-england-s-world-cup-squad

He gets a jab in at Suarez :lol:

[G'day Mate]

So it sounds like Qatar are in a bit of trouble for bribing their way into hosting the 2022 world cup. Australia and the USA were among other nations vying to host it that year - it'll be interesting to see what (if anything) comes of this.

[Rikadyn]

So it sounds like Qatar are in a bit of trouble for bribing their way into hosting the 2022 world cup. Australia and the USA were among other nations vying to host it that year - it'll be interesting to see what (if anything) comes of this.

The number of people who didn't already know this must number in the tens. The main reason they're bringing it up is cause there is scuttlebutt about major EU leagues not releasing their players to play in it because it's in Qatar it will need to be played during the regular season for the leagues, as summers are 40+ and would be unsafe

[G'day Mate]

Yeah I thought it was pretty obvious but that nobody cared enough to do anything. So is anything likely to come of it?

Incidentally, I'm one of those annoying quadrennial soccer fans who the elitists love to hate so much, so I'm not exactly in touch with what's going on.

[Rikadyn]

Yeah I thought it was pretty obvious but that nobody cared enough to do anything. So is anything likely to come of it?

Incidentally, I'm one of those annoying quadrennial soccer fans who the elitists love to hate so much, so I'm not exactly in touch with what's going on.

I only know this because it pops up on Reddit a bit with this years coming up...

[overpowered]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

[Yw-slayer]

Incidentally, I'm one of those annoying quadrennial soccer fans who the elitists love to hate so much, so I'm not exactly in touch with what's going on.

I don't even like it because I think it's a game for wimps and pussies. Do you think they hate me even more?

[JSGeneral]

Link to a Hater's Guide for the World Cup 2014 Teams (http://screamer.deadspin.com/the-hater-s-guide-to-the-2014-world-cup-1588867715)

All you haters should do some research.

[Yw-slayer]

Why? It's very simple. In fairness, the game itself is fine. It's just played and won mainly by wimps, pussies and actors. What's the point of doing any research?

Having said that, that guide is pretty funny. :lol:

[harper]

Meanwhile, the tournament has actually begun. It's 1-1 in the 60' between Brazil and Croatia as I type.

[FaultyMario]

While not in completely on it, seems to me Croatia have been unlucky.

[Alan P]

Not a penalty.

[overpowered]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/603635_10152276343188300_9187000222152173839_n.jpg

[M4FFU]

Joke of a match. If that's the referring standards from here-on in, I'm not going to bother. Croatian goalie should spend his bung money wisely, too. :rolleyes:

[G'day Mate]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrtSvCPaygs

[Godson]

:lol:

[JSGeneral]

Not even the fact that this penalty was ridiculous... but that the player got a yellow card as well. Those can be devastating in group play.

I agree with the above sentiment... if that's the way the officiating is going to be... why play? And even more importantly... why watch?

[G'day Mate]

Players can be penalised after a game for diving based on video evidence, right? Can a player who is carded have that decision reversed after the game as well?

[Blerpa]

Penalty for Brazil: inexistant.
Fred: should have got a yellow card for simulation (instead of a penalty kick in favour).
Neymar: he willingfully slapped an opponent in the face. By rules that should have been a straight red card and he should have been send off.
Croatia: got invalidated a perfectly fine goal.

Travesty of a match, Croatia got mighty robbed.
Brazil quite sucked and didn't deserve any of this.
Best outcome should have been a drew.

[overpowered]

Best outcome should have been a drew.fud's in Brazil?

[Random]

Is that her name?

[Blerpa]

THANK YOU ORANGES. That's all.

[G'day Mate]

You know, all this rolling around on the floor really pisses me off. It's a shame that soccer works in a way that you're almost always better off actually losing your feet and going down than trying to stay upright.

Just watching a game of AFL footy (go Crows) and these guys are tackling and bouncing off each other in ways that really illustrate how "soft" (for want of a better word) the soccer players are with their arms-out, belly-flopping, face-grabbing antics.

Check out what we call a "don't argue":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2t-fCmVTSk

Now I do understand that in soccer a lot of the action is down around the ankles so it's no surprise they get tripped a bit, but for fuck's sake, get up and get going again, even if you do get hit straight in the face.

Actually, there was one guy that got hit in the face who didn't quite get up straight away ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5qVLJEOTpo

Oooh - I just noticed that Barry punches another guy in the face in that video (20 second mark) with a good old "jumper punch".

[Blerpa]

Football, Fussball, Calcio, Futbol, etc. in the thread, not other unknown obscure sports, plskthnxbye.

[harper]

Costa Rica surprise Uruguay (who are without Suarez after all). Joel Campbell please do that for Arsenal next year.

Italy overcome England in a hell of a game, and the winner is headed in by Balotelli.

Greece got whooped by Colombia, who proved potent even without Falcao.

Japan vs Ivory Coast is now, Japan is up 1-0 after 26 minutes.

[Yw-slayer]

You know, all this rolling around on the floor really pisses me off. It's a shame that soccer works in a way that you're almost always better off actually losing your feet and going down than trying to stay upright.

Like I said, it should be a manly game, but sadly it is ruined by the fact that you are best served and most likely to win if you play it in a very unmanly and pussy-like fashion.

[matt s]

Don't know about anyone else but I felt Spain were a bunch of flopping floppers against the Dutch and was happy to seem them lose 5-1 (yeah, so I'm late on this post)

I always have a good laugh when someone hits torso to torso and then proceed to rolling around grasping their shin. Seems like a default action to them: get touched anywhere, go down as dramatically as possible and grasp a shin with the most pained looking face you can.

[Yw-slayer]

Or lie down on the grass as though you're dead. THEN ENERGETICALLY JUMP AND START SCREAMING MANIACALLY AT THE REF WHEN HE DOESN'T GIVE YOUR TEAM THE PENALTY

[Freude am Fahren]

That Swiss player showed how it should be done. Instead of rolling around like a baby, he got right back up and on the ball, leading to the winning goal. Had he pussed out and rolled around and even gotten the foul called, it may not have led to anything, giving the defense a chance to regroup. Worse, he could have rolled around like a pussy and not gotten a foul and the game ends in a draw or loss.

[Freude am Fahren]

Is the marking of the pitch for free kicks a new thing? I've never seen that before.

[Blerpa]

Is the marking of the pitch for free kicks a new thing? I've never seen that before.

Yes. That and also the mark of the distance of the human barrier in front of free kicks. That spray can thingie is the best news in official FIFA matches in like decades.
Great, simple and effective solution. I approve.

[FaultyMario]

Are they spraying the kick point and then the defenders' line a water based paint?

If so a couple of leagues have been doing it for years. I haven't checked are they using 3 or 5 auxiliary refs?

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, I saw the barrier line first, I thought, what a great idea...surely this isn't soccer :lol:

Looked like it was chalk at first.

[Alan P]

It's a water based spray, a bit like weak shaving foam. Apparently they've been using it in most South American leagues for a few years.

Also there are no assistants behind each goal as in some European competitions.

[G'day Mate]

11 games in and no draws - has the world cup ever got past the first 16 games without one?

[JSGeneral]

[ugly american]
Does Germany really have a player named Götze? Is it pronounced "Goatse"?
[/ugly american]

[JSGeneral]

http://i.imgur.com/ApGwn0M.gif

The Flying Dutchman...

[matt s]

11 games in and no draws - has the world cup ever got past the first 16 games without one?


With the way this Iran v Nigeria match is going, looks like the streak with no draws will end here.

[Kchrpm]

THE EQUALIZER

80 minutes of doddling about playing purely defense against near constant attacks sure makes for some kind of game to watch.

Just before I hit send, the unequalizer. Hey, guys, maybe keep playing offense?

[G'day Mate]

With the way this Iran v Nigeria match is going, looks like the streak with no draws will end here.

Ah, bugger.

[Phil_SS]

Still been a stellar World Cup.

[harper]

*ahem*


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG9cVs3ms4

*presses play*

USA! USA! USA! USA!

[Godson]

I wasn't there, but I had several friends that saw the game at the PnL where this was filmed. I was told the energy was insane.


I won't miss the next game.



http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/06/16/usa_ghana_reaction_video_this_is_the_best_reaction _to_john_brooks_game_winning.html

[matt s]

At least the Brazil v Mexico match was more watchable of a draw than yesterday's affair. Some great saves by Mexico's keeper there.

Also, is it just me or are there a lot of injuries? I don't mean the cramping up, but it seems like there are a decent amount of more serious injuries occuring. Heat/Humidity or something else?

Lastly:
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2807989/americafyeah.gif

[George]

Love the "Don't Argue" videos, G'day. Here's the 'murrican version:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMnqkWgbdsc

Like most Americans, I don't watch much (any) soccer, unless it's at my daughter's games. However last Friday afternoon I got off work early and went by the tire store. They said it would be about an hour, so I considered my options: sit in the waiting room and read old car mags and watch other people stare at their smart phones or walk over to Chili's restaurant and have a beer at the bar.

I ordered a delicious Colorado brew and the bartender brought two frosty mugs. I was informed it was happy hour. Hmmm - I have heard of that but never tried it, I guess. When I lived in North Carolina, happy hours were illegal because the religious right lawmakers thought that any temporary reduction of alcohol costs was encouraging people to party down and then riot in the streets and possibly break a Commandment or two, I guess. So, after over nine years in Colorado, I finally went into a bar and discovered happy hour. So I guess the moral of the story is I should hang out in bars more often during working hours. :lol:

But, getting to the point, at long last...they had the Chile vs. Australia game on TV and I watched for about 45 minutes or so. I didn't see anyone lying on the ground crying but I did see a few hard knocks, shoves, and trips. Each time, the crasher/shover/tripper would help the guy up, or give a quick handshake, or pat the guy on the shoulder or something as if to say, "sorry I had to take you down - just part of the game", and so forth. The first one that caught my eye was when one dude pretty much steamrolled another into the grass, then yanked the guy back up, smiling, and then both guys appeared to be looking at the referee and shrugging and looking around as if to say, "What? What? Nothin' happened! Why are you looking at us?"

It all looked like good sportsmanship to me...perhaps even overly demonstrative sportsmanship. Mostly it looked like they were having fun and just glad to be there.

I can see why people enjoy watching this game. My only complaint was the non-stop action apparently prevents instant replays as we Americans are so used to when watching baseball and football on TV. I kept wanting to see things again but never did, unlike baseball and football where there is so much time between the ball being in play that we get to see the guys scratch and spit over and over in slo-mo while we wait for something else to happen.

[Yw-slayer]

No diving, and people taking tackles and hits like men? That's very unusual.

[Kchrpm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jkUcFF4VmO4

[G'day Mate]

Stupid 1:30am kickoff

[G'day Mate]

Well, that was quite a goal


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jqazInGQE4

(sorry for the crap quality video)

[Godson]

Sorry Australia

[Random]

Email received at work an hour ago:



***Important Message for DWR Internet Usage***

Greetings,

We understand the World Cup is important to many of us that are fans of the sport. However, we ask that you please do not stream the games from your workstations, laptops, tablets, or phones while connected to the DWR network.



We are currently monitoring a large number of users streaming these games and it is having an impact on the Department’s ability to conduct its business.




Streaming the World Cup games and other non-business related videos can have a negative impact on performance and degrade DWR’s Internet Business connections.


We appreciate your understanding in this matter.


Haha! :D

[Godson]

I like how they asked to not do it ON the network.

[Random]

Yeah, apparently they are ok with the work disruption as long as you are using your own bandwidth. Haha. :up:

My friend's company, on the other hand, set up the big conference room projector for all the games--so there you go. Must be nice working for the Swiss...

[Freude am Fahren]

I was really rooting for the Socceroos today. Thought they might pull it off.

Why even play the Aus/Esp game :lol:

[GreatScawt]

Haha, true. Not going to lie, I'm pretty happy Spain is gone. :finger:

[G'day Mate]

Oh wow, did Chili eliminate Spain???

[harper]

I remember France coming into WC 2002 with hype and then collapsing, but this is the first time the current champions are confirmed out after the second game. Wow. Wowwwwww.

Also I really, really, really want Arsenal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Chile, but that's another matter.

From the standpoint of commenters in Europe, this has been a fantastic World Cup. Absolutely stunning and dramatic (except that awful Iran-Nigeria tire fire). Very open and attacking play.

[harper]

Oh wow, did Chili eliminate Spain???

No, the food didn't, but Chile did ;)

[G'day Mate]

Hah, whoops

Well it looks like group B is decided then - the last matches will just sort out the final decisions but Chile and the Netherlands will both go to the round of 16.

Group A is still interesting. Brazil will probably make it through - a draw against lowly Cameroon will do it - however they're not completely safe yet. The Mexico/Croatia game should be a good one

[Alan P]

I can see the open and attacking football coming to a screeching halt once the group stages are over. Teams will be shit scared about conceding so I can see 10 behind the ball every time they lose possession.

[Rikadyn]

https://i.imgur.com/Rf4vfe4.jpg

[neanderthal]

I can see the open and attacking football coming to a screeching halt once the group stages are over. Teams will be shit scared about conceding so I can see 10 behind the ball every time they lose possession.

Yep. One thing I lament about the knockout stage of football; the manager basically parks the bus (alludes to a metaphorical team bus being literally parked in front of the goal, with all the men defending it.) for the whole game. Matches become dull...

[G'day Mate]

Oh no England!

[M4FFU]

Clearly we need to dive more. :\

[G'day Mate]

At least you're not likely to go out on penalties this time ...

[Blerpa]

Clearly we need to dive more. :\

Clearly you need to play better than a piss poor Championship team ;)

[FaultyMario]

FIFA is going to investigate if Mexicans chanting "faggot" every time an opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick is homophobic and discriminatory. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Mexican federation official defends the slur as 'something casual, like wey'; I know now what I want to do.

[overpowered]

I thought "puto" meant prostitute.

[Blerpa]

Puto means homosexual prostitute.

Breaking News: ITALY SUCKED. BADLY.

[G'day Mate]

So you guys are up against an in-form Uruguay but only need to draw - should be a good game!

[overpowered]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCkfcr1kcYI

[neanderthal]

Ghana vs Germany.

Jesus. What a half. Probably the best half of football in the last few World Cups. Excellent, excellent game. Bravo.

[FaultyMario]

I watched parts of the first half. great teams.

Maybe you mean the half with all the scoring?

[Jason]

Man, I was all ready to make multiple "SUCK IT PORTUGAL" posts on Facebook.

[Freude am Fahren]

Damn, that was somewhat heartbreaking. Somewhat because we still have a good chance to move on. As long as we don't lay an egg against Germany, and the Ghana-Portugal game isn't a blowout, we should good.

It felt kinda like a buzzer beater/walk off homerun/hail mary... if those sports ended in ties.*

*Actually, I guess football could end in a tie, but not on a hail mary, it'd have to be a field goal.

[Kchrpm]

A regular season football game could end on a game-tying field goal.

[KillerB]

It could end on a game-tying Hail Mary, too, as long as either came at the very end of the OT period.

[G'day Mate]

As long as we don't lay an egg against Germany, and the Ghana-Portugal game isn't a blowout, we should good.

Stranger things have happened, but yeah, I think if you get beaten by Germany and Portugal beat Ghana then the total difference in goals in those two games needs to be six for the Portuguese to get ahead of you in Group H

[neanderthal]

A loss by the US and a win by Ghana has the US ahead by goal difference. If Ghana scores big against Portugal they go ahead.
A massive win by Portugal against Ghana (by more than 6 as mentioned) and a loss by the USMNT means Portugal goes ahead.

Either way, it's a must win for Ghana, a must win for Portugal, and a must win for the US. Ghana (4) and Portugal (6+) have to score big to go ahead in the event of a US losss.

The tie breaker is goal difference followed by goals scored.

[Random]

http://i.imgur.com/PTK7tOJ.png
(from Reddit)

[Kchrpm]

It could end on a game-tying Hail Mary, too, as long as either came at the very end of the OT period.
Nope, because for it to end on a Hail Mary in OT, that would mean the other team was up by a touchdown. If you score a touchdown in the NFL in OT, you win immediately. It's only if you kick a FG after winning the coin toss that you can have the lead in OT and not immediately win.

College football and its weird red-zone back and forth is a different animal, you can win on anything.

[Freude am Fahren]

^^Yup. ^^


A loss by the US and a win by Ghana has the US ahead by goal difference. If Ghana scores big against Portugal they go ahead.

Actually, wouldn't that tie the GD? We're at +1, they're at -1. We lose we go to at best even, they win they go to at worst even. What's next? Total goals? We're at 4, they're at 3, right?

Anyway, that table above says it all.

[Blerpa]

I'm rooting for the Yellow result. :D

[Freude am Fahren]

Question about offsides: if the player with the ball gets past the last defender, can he still only pass to someone behind that defender? No two man breakaways?

[GreatScawt]

Huh my mind went immediately to American football and laterals. Not the case here :lol: I'm curious about that, too.

I want to say that's not offsides, though, as you're ultimately not passing it forward. In fact, I think I recall Germany getting a goal like that against Argentina in the last world cup.

[FaultyMario]

Damn it, Croatia!

[FaultyMario]

Question about offsides: if the player with the ball gets past the last defender, can he still only pass to someone behind that defender? No two man breakaways?

The rule is about the ball, not the player kicking it.
If the ball is past the last defender the receiver must be behind (or at least be in line with) the ball.

[FaultyMario]

That's why there can't be an offside ball in a corner kick. As it's been kicked from the goal line.

[FaultyMario]

Quite displeased. We, Italy, are the second team who have won the cup most times (5 Brazil, 4 Italy) and yet you managed to not put it there and to have there hopeless United States and retarded "look we are CR7's boys band" Portugal?
Pfttt.

:devil:

[Blerpa]

Oh well, you know, shitty game played by us, a red card that was just a yellow, and Suarez with political immunity... Do not worry, Portugal won't go much farther, neither Mexico.
Now on to keep for Netherlands, Germany and any European team. Even France in case it gets to the final with any south american team.

[FaultyMario]

I hate Portugal for pretty much the same reasons you do. As for Mexico, it's the most absolute meh team in the last 30 years. Were it the 2005 team that played the German Confecup, then we'd talk.

[Freude am Fahren]

This is where I meant to post this
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6gLDTCUAAp3MJ.png:large

[lostnight]

So I guess he is pretty well established as a biter by now. They should keep letting him play, but with one of those metal funnels around his head to keep him from biting.

[G'day Mate]

So does anyone else enjoy the "opening theme" as much as I do?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP67IM1LX-M

[Freude am Fahren]

Sure, the first time I saw it. After #10,045, it's a bit annoying.

[Random]

So I guess he is pretty well established as a biter by now. They should keep letting him play, but with one of those metal funnels around his head to keep him from biting.

Or a ball gag.

[Freude am Fahren]

http://theeveningharold.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/luis1.png

http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01715/Suarez-main1_1715010w.jpg

[lostnight]

Excellent, now he's ready to play nice!

[lostnight]

I can't stop laughing at those pics!

[M4FFU]

I'm not sure how much you guys know about his past, but he's got priors in the EPL for using his teeth instead of his feet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9225097.stm

And then a recent 10 match ban in the EPL for similar. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22278258

He's gifted, obviously, but, yeah... scum. Needs help. If he avoids anything less than a 6 month ban, I'll be surprised.

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, I think that's why it's as big a deal as it is. If it were an isolated incident that's one thing, but this guy is clearly deranged.

[Blerpa]

Matt, I'm a Liverpool fan... unfortunately I'm already knowleadgeable of Suarez' antics. Scumbag.

[JSGeneral]

http://i.imgur.com/d61nChj.jpg

[Blerpa]

LOLLING HARD.

[JSGeneral]

How to make $3,300... (yes this is World Cup related.) (http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cup/story/1910428/norwegian-bettor-cashes-in-on-luis-suarezs-bite)

[G'day Mate]

So, the round of 16 starts soon - let's see who's in and who's out.

- Everyone from the AFC has been eliminated - perhaps we'll only see three Asian qualifiers in 2018? Conversely ...
- Only Ecuador from CONMEBOL. Home continent advantage?
- Four of the teams ranked in the top 10 leading into the comp (Spain, Portugal, Italy and England)
- Nigeria - ranked 44 - are in! They did have a fairly easy group though. They've got France next.

Unfortunately for the South Americans, four of the remaining five CONMEBOL teams are grouped together in the first two rounds of the elimination stage. It means that three of them will have to be eliminated in the first two rounds, although one of those will be guaranteed to make it to the semi final.

Any predictions?

[Rikadyn]

If the US does anything further, the whole country will be completely fucking unbearable.

Brazil
Uruguay
France
Germany
Belgium
Argentina
Costa Rica
Netherlands

[overpowered]

At this point, ties are no longer allowed?

[G'day Mate]

Correct. I think they play two fifteen-minute overtime halves and then it's a penalty shoot-out.

[overpowered]

I like that better. Ties shouldn't be allowed at all.

[G'day Mate]

I dunno, the penalty shoot-outs seem like a total lottery to me so I think ties have their place in the group stages. There were only nine draws out of 48 matches so far - that's not toooo bad.

Incidentally, the Australian system of sorting out a tied grand final (in our AFL) is to replay the whole match the following week. It's only happened three times, but one of them was fairly recently. Everyone cracks the shits too because by that stage they just want a result.

[FaultyMario]

Chile
Colombia (They're at a peak and Uruguay are shaken and distracted by the whole Suárez thing)
Netherlands
Costa Rica (They've defeated the cattenaccio masters, they will make away with the trainees), they play the richest football in Concacaf.
France-Nigeria (It'll go either way; you can't trust neither of them, but you can't bet against them either.)
Germany
Argentina
Belgium 60/ USA 40

[mk]

The rule is about the ball, not the player kicking it.
If the ball is past the last defender the receiver must be behind (or at least be in line with) the ball.

Who is last when folks is in the net?

[G'day Mate]

I reckon Brazil, Colombia, Netherlands, Greece, France, Germany, Argentina and ... Belgium?

[FaultyMario]

Who is last when folks is in the net?

Past the goal line, inside the area limited by the posts, if the ball goes in during a play. It's a goal.
If the play is stopped. ball is dead.
If a player goes in, he is out of bounds, and thus he invalidates the play if the ball bounces off him into play.
If the defender goes out of bounds, the next player up marks the offside line.

[Freude am Fahren]

I assume a player has to completely behind that line to be out of bounds?

In which case, a player completely inside the goal blocks a goal (thus the ball must be partly across the line to make contact, but does not completely cross the line for a goal). Is that a goal? A penalty kick?

[G'day Mate]

So what's this ... seven sixths time? Looks like we're on track to see our first shoot-out.

Bloody hell it's nearly 4:00am here - no wonder I'm struggling to keep my eyes open!

[Rikadyn]

Posts win

[G'day Mate]

Brazil won by a coat of paint

[Blerpa]

Nevermind, they will be beaten by almost any of the teams they will be encountering after this.
Their defense line is Second division quality, abysmal, and their attack is frankly comprised only of Neymar and, when he get his shit together, Hulk.
Rest of the team is really average. They have to thank Julio Cesar remembering suddenly what means to be a top international goal keeper... and also a bar and a side pole.

Penalty kicks are here to stay in football. End of any discussion.

[G'day Mate]

Just realised that not only were all the AFC teams eliminated during the group stage but not one of them won a game!

[Rikadyn]

Penalty kicks are here to stay in football. End of any discussion.

I reserve my right to hate them here and in hockey

[Blerpa]

Surely, freedom of speech and expression and all that :D

Oh, everyone was rooting for Chile.
And then everyone did root for Colombia which made easy peasy to pass the Uruguay without the biter, their best player.
And now to root for Netherlands.

Costa Rica - Greece? Difficult. I'm rooting for european teams and against south americans (and vs. USA too, as usual), but Greece is darn annoying and shitty.

[FaultyMario]

Like I said, they strive to be Italy but they end up being shit.

Oh, and France, don't get me started on them.

[FaultyMario]

So your wingback is rubbish. He's making your aging centerbacks tired by running to the sides in order to cover the gaps he's leaving. Your attacking midfielder is on a high, he's connecting well and keeping the opposing wingbacks on the lookout. Reason says you should try swap out your weak link and manage your back end to cover for extremes whilst giving some help to the one guy that's keeping the other team busy. Right, Mexico? Oh yeah and under no circumstances let Robben in a position where he can dive in the area... a)Close the lanes, b) Don't touch Robben.

That should do the trick.

[neanderthal]

Rough way to lose.

Missed the game but the pundits (van Nistlerooy) seem to think Mexico sat back too much after scoring. That the late defender gave Robben the chance to use the opportunity. That ref was giving a make up call for a missed call in the first half.

You can't sit on it if you're only one score up.
Hard luck mate.

[FaultyMario]

Never had much hope in them to be honest. decent players not a decent team make. Terrible coach, too.

[G'day Mate]

Oh yeah and under no circumstances let Robben in a position where he can dive in the area... a)Close the lanes, b) Don't touch Robben.

I just saw a video compilation of five or six blatant dives by him - what a dirty bastard!

[mk]

I assume a player has to completely behind that line to be out of bounds?

In which case, a player completely inside the goal blocks a goal (thus the ball must be partly across the line to make contact, but does not completely cross the line for a goal). Is that a goal? A penalty kick?
By hand it must be a goal, by other parts don't know, goal or a goal kick.
If game goes on the player wasn't out, same with a penalty of any kind.

BTW, local commentator around 86min, nah, too early for Greece.

[mk]

Scamming ‘Godfather’ predicted
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/scamming-godfather-predicted-cameroon-0-croatia-4-and-cameroon-sending-off-alex-song-saw-red-der-spiegel/

[Godson]

That's a damn shame.

[Rikadyn]

I'm surprised Germany keeper has not messed up as aggressively as he's come out into the field

[overpowered]

I think most Mexicans are agreeing with Nigel Powers right now.


There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

[G'day Mate]

I'm surprised Germany keeper has not messed up as aggressively as he's come out into the field

I was thinking the same

So 0-0 in the first 90 minutes and then three goals in the following 30 hey?

[Alan P]

I was thinking the same

So 0-0 in the first 90 minutes and then three goals in the following 30 hey?

Spot on.

[FaultyMario]

Poor Zusi, It seems like he's the gopher for substitutions.

[Rikadyn]

Colombia
France
Netherlands
Argentina

[G'day Mate]

So 0-0 in the first 90 minutes and then three goals in the following 30 hey?

This again? Bah. I'm getting up early to watch the game and then heading in to work after the first ninety goalless minutes and missing all the action along the way. When I get to work I start streaming in case it goes to penalties but I keep missing all the good stuff!!

[FaultyMario]

In the order of my desires:

Costa Rica
Colombia
Argentina
Germany

[neanderthal]

Tim Howard. Heroic. The only reason why we weren't mauled.
The rest of the squad; meh.

Well done Belgium.

[mk]

Least experienced vs. least talented.
Quite close, maybe even almost pole in pole out.

US definitely needs more talent, since without they'll never reach the vs. less organized ones situations.
Bradley needs more pace or a replacement and Zusi needs more tech hours, good subs.

What I don't understand is why Vertonghen wasn't challenged more, much more.

BTW, 2007 crippled Finland beat Belgians 2-0 in EURO'08 qualify.
So, much can be done in quite short time.

[Blerpa]

2008 is like centuries ago in football time.
Also right now Belgium is not only one of the most solid teams in Europe but also one of the most talented young-people wise.
No Neymar or Martinez talent, but much more spread in the whole team.
US has to thank heroic Howard, or the match would have had a tennis-like final result.

Colombia
Germany
Netherlands
Belgium

These are my wishes.
And possibly Netherlands to win the cup.

[mk]

Maybe the real thing finally as close as 'W' for Wondolowski.

[mk]

Tim Howard has Tourette syndrome ?!

[Freude am Fahren]

http://screamer.deadspin.com/james-rodriguez-attacked-by-horrifying-animal-after-pen-1600413391/all

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ydVxgV7S--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/v1zcu8wmhe17ha6h7wf1.jpg

Which of course didn't take long to turn into this:

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/hqwvowpp6oa10xoeoprt.jpg

[Rikadyn]

Thinking about it I'd like to watch more football after the world cup is over, just no clue what league to watch our team to pull for lol

[FaultyMario]

If you like the style you've seen in most of the World Cup Matches, watch Uefa Champions League. That's where the top two (or so) teams from the tier-1 leagues in Europe go head to head. They have most of the world cup stars too. UCL is not hard to find, they don't have territory exclusive licenses, so multiple broadcasters can carry the signal. It's mostly fast-action, quite physical but predictable.

If you like a more artisan, however at a little slower pace, brand of football, then try to catch a round of Copa Bridgestone Libertadores I believe Fox Sports owns the rights. There should be a Fox Deportes for Spanish speakers in the U.S. so, there. That's lessons on gypsy football 101.

[Blerpa]

Uefa Champions League if you like this type of cup style, as Mario said.
If you like action then Premier League. If you like solid general play then Bundesliga, if you like a lot of tactics then Serie A.
Do watch Liga (spanish league) only to watch Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
For all the fuss about it the other teams of Liga, aside for those aforamentioned three, do compare to first division quality or worse in the other 3 main european national leagues.
Ligue One (France) is shit.

[FaultyMario]

Do watch Liga (spanish league) only to watch Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
For all the fuss about it the other teams of Liga, aside for those aforamentioned three, do compare to first division quality or worse in the other 3 main european national leagues.

I'd put a case up for Sevilla, Bilbao or Villareal, but yes, I'd generally agree with Blerpa's comment substance, though not on the brush stroke.

[Alan P]

I wasn't that hyped for the WC I must admit. I had visions of hugely negative play constantly and teams playing 10 behind the ball and some matches have been like this but it has to be said, most of the matches, especially when it comes to the last ten minutes of normal time and then the second half of extra time have been AWESOME! World cups every year please!

[Rikadyn]

Whelp that happened

[Random]

Still 40 minutes to go! :D

[2ndMoparMan]

WTF is this. Germany vs Poland in 1939?

[Random]

http://images.tvrage.com/news/touchdown-nfl-and-referees-reach-agreement-abc-and-fans-rejoice.jpg

[G'day Mate]

Wow, I woke up and it was 5-0, then after I had a shower it was 7-0. The Germans must've put on a clinic.

[Rikadyn]

Less Germany more Brazil just imploding

[Random]

http://argonautnews.com/santa-monicas-bert-mandelbaum-team-doctor-for-the-l-a-galaxy-leads-fifas-world-cup-medical-team-in-brazil/

Small world story: Bert Mandelbaum is my f-i-l's cousin. :)

[Alan P]

Yes Germany were clinical in their execution but Brazil were truly woeful. Utterly shocking.

[Freude am Fahren]

Especially after the second goal. They seemed just give up at that point.

[Blerpa]

What he said ^^^.
Totally given up. And the paradox? That Thiago Silva and Neymar will be exempted by the shitstorm now.
I'm convinced this Germany would have beaten 4-1 this Brazil even with Neymar and Silva.

[mk]

Götze and Podolski sitting, Reus at home.

[GreatScawt]

Yup. Ridiculous depth.

[Freude am Fahren]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsDVqKGCYAAYyFa.png

[G'day Mate]

So, Germany vs. Argentina hey?

[Godson]

http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/feel-add.jpg

[G'day Mate]

Well, that seemed like it was worth getting up early for.

[lostnight]

I picked the correct team in the poll. But damn, I thought that game sucked and was boring. But at least the winning goal was a piece of art, and I watched it happen live on tv.

[Random]

That was a great goal. :up:

[Rikadyn]

I didn't think the game was boring.😮

[lostnight]

I do have to say, there were 3 HD TVs in front of me, one had the WC game, one had the Reds-Pirates, and one had the NASCAR race, plus I was planning a vacation to Maine in August with a friend sitting next to me. Volume on the WC game was muted. In a different setting the game might have seemed more exciting, but from what I watched, there was more rolling around on the ground than actual scoring chances. Some of the games I watched were quite exciting, this one seemed less so to me, a lot of time killing moves it looked like to my eyes. Didn't turn me off or anything, lookin forward to the next one.