My friends are getting married on Saturday afternoon.
Do I go?
I've only known one of them for 21 years.
If they could ensure the ceremony is over by 2pm you can all watch the match over lunch. Will swede be on the menu?
In so far as I have any interest at all , I would be happy to see Sweden win . I think the Scandinavians are - on the whole - more civilised than the British.
What an odd cookie you are.
I want England to win, but generally I want the best team to be victorious and thus if England are outplayed in a particular sporting contest I am content if it is a good example of elite sport.
Wait until Justin finds out just how many in the England squad are bastards and have sired bastards.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
We do need to learn how to take part in the second half next time, that said.
+1. Can’t believe they’ve won a penalty shoot out - anything is literally possible in this WC. Really thought it was curtains when Henderson missed.
Agreed. I will say we did get back on top in the 2nd period of extra time, which is something. And if you remember how abject we have been in other recent knock-out games this was a small improvement.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
Like I said all the way along, I don't know what the hell Remainers have been worried about. When it comes to Brexit she's the gift that keeps on giving.
All that fuss from the likes of Grieve and Soubry when it's been obvious all the way along she's going to betray Brexiteers and sell Brexit down the river.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
Russia's ranking will have been hurt by not playing any qualifiers. Poland's was inflated by them not playing friendlies!
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
FFS ITV has just said "whatever happens England have had a successful WC because they've reached the QFs"
Listen mate when the luck goes for you then you have to take full advantage.
The World Cup has been great, the analysis and commentary not in the same league. Who thought to hire Gary Neville and not get the interactive board? And why do bbc seemingly have 27 people having their say for every game.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competion not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Because the game arose in the UK and the first internationals were between the Home Nations with other countries steadily joining in.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competion not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Because the game arose in the UK and the first internationals were between the Home Nations with other countries steadily joining in.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competion not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Because the game arose in the UK and the first internationals were between the Home Nations with other countries steadily joining in.
Rather impressively the four home nations have retained permanent seats on IFAB (not that that's something to gloat about, given their uselessness).
Why? As I said to ex-antifrank earlier, the conventional wisdom that England are always too short is outdated. These days the football markets are dominated by megapunters with deep pockets running clever algorithms on powerful computers and not patriotic Sun-readers having a tenner on in Ladbrokes.
We were nailed on to get out of the group stage, and then the draw opened up for us. England is the best team in our half of the draw, according to the FIFA rankings (which are not infallible). England, Croatia. Sweden and Russia -- one of those four teams will play in the World Cup final. Which of those teams are you afraid of. All the good teams are on the other side of the draw: Brazil, France, Uruguay and Belgium.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Well we also have four votes out of eight on the International Football Association Board which formally sets the laws of the game, which is another anomaly - it's grandfathered in because we codified the game I guess.
And there are FIFA members who are not independent states in any case, like British Oversea Territories. It is theoretically possible, though highly implausible, that they could make it to a competition I guess.
And perhaps other countries within countries would be permitted to play separately if they wanted? Ours don't want to play united.
We do need to learn how to take part in the second half next time, that said.
+1. Can’t believe they’ve won a penalty shoot out - anything is literally possible in this WC. Really thought it was curtains when Henderson missed.
Agreed. I will say we did get back on top in the 2nd period of extra time, which is something. And if you remember how abject we have been in other recent knock-out games this was a small improvement.
Yep, though at the time I didn’t know whether those chances/misses were a good or a bad omen. Thankfully they were a good sign.
Why? As I said to ex-antifrank earlier, the conventional wisdom that England are always too short is outdated. These days the football markets are dominated by megapunters with deep pockets running clever algorithms on powerful computers and not patriotic Sun-readers having a tenner on in Ladbrokes.
We were nailed on to get out of the group stage, and then the draw opened up for us. England is the best team in our half of the draw, according to the FIFA rankings (which are not infallible). England, Croatia. Sweden and Russia -- one of those four teams will play in the World Cup final. Which of those teams are you afraid of. All the good teams are on the other side of the draw: Brazil, France, Uruguay and Belgium.
The world best football punter setup who his own research company staffed full of math PhDs and allegedly a good year is only a 3% profit margin.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Well we also have four votes out of eight on the International Football Association Board which formally sets the laws of the game, which is another anomaly - it's grandfathered in because we codified the game I guess.
And there are FIFA members who are not independent states in any case, like British Oversea Territories. It is theoretically possible, though highly implausible, that they could make it to a competition I guess.
And perhaps other countries within countries would be permitted to play separately if they wanted? Ours don't want to play united.
So perhaps Bavaria and Saxony could have their own teams?
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
The world has gone mad !!
Did TSE not eat some pineapple on pizza as a price for tickets to the Champions League final? I think he'd secretly developed a taste for it. Next thing you know he'll be willing to eat it for practically anything.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Well we also have four votes out of eight on the International Football Association Board which formally sets the laws of the game, which is another anomaly - it's grandfathered in because we codified the game I guess.
And there are FIFA members who are not independent states in any case, like British Oversea Territories. It is theoretically possible, though highly implausible, that they could make it to a competition I guess.
And perhaps other countries within countries would be permitted to play separately if they wanted? Ours don't want to play united.
So perhaps Bavaria and Saxony could have their own teams?
There's probably a rule somewhere which makes any further exceptions beyond the UK Home Nations not allowed, but it is an interesting idea depending on the legal status of the units within a nation - we clearly identify ours as countries within a country, with distinct identities even as we also share a wider nationality, and I don't know how common that is.
Why? As I said to ex-antifrank earlier, the conventional wisdom that England are always too short is outdated. These days the football markets are dominated by megapunters with deep pockets running clever algorithms on powerful computers and not patriotic Sun-readers having a tenner on in Ladbrokes.
We were nailed on to get out of the group stage, and then the draw opened up for us. England is the best team in our half of the draw, according to the FIFA rankings (which are not infallible). England, Croatia. Sweden and Russia -- one of those four teams will play in the World Cup final. Which of those teams are you afraid of. All the good teams are on the other side of the draw: Brazil, France, Uruguay and Belgium.
Laying England in past tournaments has been very profitable for me.
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
The world has gone mad !!
Did TSE not eat some pineapple on pizza as a price for tickets to the Champions League final? I think he'd secretly developed a taste for it. Next thing you know he'll be willing to eat it for practically anything.
I did, I thought pineapple on pizza was even more mingin' that I remembered.
Is like the worst thing you can eat after Turkish delight sweets.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
Russia's ranking will have been hurt by not playing any qualifiers. Poland's was inflated by them not playing friendlies!
The system effectively under ranks any host nation for a major tournament as they wont have played any qualifiers so will have had fewer opportunities to get points. It doesn't reflect Russia's true position.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
The world has gone mad !!
Did TSE not eat some pineapple on pizza as a price for tickets to the Champions League final? I think he'd secretly developed a taste for it. Next thing you know he'll be willing to eat it for practically anything.
I did, I thought pineapple on pizza was even more mingin' that I remembered.
Is like the worst thing you can eat after Turkish delight sweets.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
I'd be wary of comparing rankings across federations but within Europe or within South America, they are as good a guide as most. Russia is very weak but bolstered by home advantage and if I'd urge the FA to have someone from Porton Down checking the hotel if we play Russia, well, perhaps I am just paranoid.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
Itv round up at the end of the coverage were talking about showing the 7pm game on Saturday. No mention of showing England.
Personally I try to channel all my jingoistic tendencies into places where it won't have negative consequences, like sporting competitions, so time to let loose and thrash those damn Swedes in the next round!
England are the only team in the competition not to represent a nation state - as would be true of Scotland & Wales had they qualified. Whilst we do now see Croatia and Serbia taking part , this was not permitted in the days when they formed areas within Yugoslavia. Why does GB - or the UK - have a special dispensation here? It seems something of an anomaly.
Well we also have four votes out of eight on the International Football Association Board which formally sets the laws of the game, which is another anomaly - it's grandfathered in because we codified the game I guess.
And there are FIFA members who are not independent states in any case, like British Oversea Territories. It is theoretically possible, though highly implausible, that they could make it to a competition I guess.
And perhaps other countries within countries would be permitted to play separately if they wanted? Ours don't want to play united.
So perhaps Bavaria and Saxony could have their own teams?
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
Itv round up at the end of the coverage were talking about showing the 7pm game on Saturday. No mention of showing England.
That probably seals it then - no way they would miss the opportunity to tell us we could watch it with them.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
Oh well, ITV didn't prevent England winning on penalties tonight
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
They weight heavily for competitive games (non-friendlies). Russia didn't have to qualify, so haven't played any. Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it. The Swiss have a really good record recently. The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
According to the radio times online they're both showing football at that time.
So I guess it hasn't been decided yet.
I think if England are in the QFs or later both BBC and ITV broadcast the match?
Not any more. Before 2012 executives from the BBC and ITV would sit in a room for hours and thrash out a deal for who shows what. And, yes, this did include both saying before the tournament that they'd both show certain games.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC 2 - England v Belgium - ITV 3 - First pick quarter final - BBC 4 - First pick second round - ITV 5 - England v Panama - BBC 6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
FIFA.com shows both ITV and BBC broadcasting the QF.
Oh well, ITV didn't prevent England winning on penalties tonight
No indeed. It was always a bit tricky to fathom a scientific cause and effect for that one.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
They weight heavily for competitive games (non-friendlies). Russia didn't have to qualify, so haven't played any. Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it. The Swiss have a really good record recently. The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
You could take a look at 538's predictor based on their own form assessment. England narrow favourites over Coratia to get to the final from our half of the draw.
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
The world has gone mad !!
Did TSE not eat some pineapple on pizza as a price for tickets to the Champions League final? I think he'd secretly developed a taste for it. Next thing you know he'll be willing to eat it for practically anything.
I did, I thought pineapple on pizza was even more mingin' that I remembered.
Is like the worst thing you can eat after Turkish delight sweets.
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
The world has gone mad !!
Did TSE not eat some pineapple on pizza as a price for tickets to the Champions League final? I think he'd secretly developed a taste for it. Next thing you know he'll be willing to eat it for practically anything.
I did, I thought pineapple on pizza was even more mingin' that I remembered.
Is like the worst thing you can eat after Turkish delight sweets.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
They weight heavily for competitive games (non-friendlies). Russia didn't have to qualify, so haven't played any. Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it. The Swiss have a really good record recently. The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
You could take a look at 538's predictor based on their own form assessment. England narrow favourites over Coratia to get to the final from our half of the draw.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
They weight heavily for competitive games (non-friendlies). Russia didn't have to qualify, so haven't played any. Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it. The Swiss have a really good record recently. The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
You could take a look at 538's predictor based on their own form assessment. England narrow favourites over Coratia to get to the final from our half of the draw.
Much as I would want to see England beat Sweden, we had hardly any chances from open play tonight. Sweden werent great going forward themselves,
Nonetheless the dream continues a little longer.
Croatia are significantly stronger than all the other 3 teams on their side of the draw. On the other side, I really don’t think there is much between them.
What have we learned so far - France best team so far ?
I'd put the teams in the following order:
France Brazil Belgium Croatia Uruguay England Sweden Russia
Belgium and Brazil very close though, probably Uruguay and England close too.
Yes but once you factor in the draw, your table gives in our half of the draw: Croatia > England > Sweden > Russia. One of that four will play in the World Cup final. And fwiw, the FIFA rankings have England 8 places above Croatia.
Those rankings aren't quite right - Switzerland 6th, Saudis over Russia ??
They weight heavily for competitive games (non-friendlies). Russia didn't have to qualify, so haven't played any. Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it. The Swiss have a really good record recently. The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
You could take a look at 538's predictor based on their own form assessment. England narrow favourites over Coratia to get to the final from our half of the draw.
Much as I would want to see England beat Sweden, we had hardly any chances from open play tonight....
Nonsense - we were toying with them. It’s quite clear we deliberately conceded a goal in order to gain an extra 30 minutes of match practice, and felt that the agony of their losing on penalties would be a suitable recompense for their less than sporting play.
The government has a one off opportunity on Friday to deliver the softest of pro-business, pro-economy, pro-London, full FOM, EEA Brexit. I promise you all that, after tonight’s game, no-one is paying attention, and no-one gives a fucking shit.
Comments
Really enjoying this World Cup. FIFA and Putin are dirty, corrupt cheaters but have put on a great tournament.
Brazil or Sweden? Hmmmmm, let me see who I'd prefer next.
I'm toying about laying another £800.
Lets hope Brazil puts them on the plane to Brussels
Can’t believe they’ve won a penalty shoot out - anything is literally possible in this WC. Really thought it was curtains when Henderson missed.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/world-cup-2018/6669709/gareth-southgate-waistcoat-sales-marks-spencer/
What are the latest next Tory leader odds, btw
(gambling ads are annoying though)
I'd be willing to eat pineapple on pizza if it would guarantee England winning the world cup.
Around 2000-2002 the two were quite competitive. Had England progressed beyond the group stage in 2000, both would have shown England's knock-out games. In 2002, both did show the Denmark (yes, ITV showed that England win) and Brazil games.
However, since 2012, there has been a picking process. Quite simply, they take turns to pick which game they would like to show. BBC had first pick this tournament, and I think the order went:
1 - England v Tunisia - BBC
2 - England v Belgium - ITV
3 - First pick quarter final - BBC
4 - First pick second round - ITV
5 - England v Panama - BBC
6 - First pick semi final - ITV
I'm not certain about that order, but first pick semi final being left to ITV seems to make sense.
The BBC do have the right to show any game they like. But it would be incredibly short-termist to break an agreement with ITV.
Listen mate when the luck goes for you then you have to take full advantage.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/07/03/theresa-may-faces-almighty-row-chequers-eurosceptics-fear-softest/
Like I said all the way along, I don't know what the hell Remainers have been worried about. When it comes to Brexit she's the gift that keeps on giving.
All that fuss from the likes of Grieve and Soubry when it's been obvious all the way along she's going to betray Brexiteers and sell Brexit down the river.
One of our many gifts to the world.
People get very emotional about football, and England in particular in this country, so there is money to be made.
I may lay another wodge come Saturday afternoon.
We were nailed on to get out of the group stage, and then the draw opened up for us. England is the best team in our half of the draw, according to the FIFA rankings (which are not infallible). England, Croatia. Sweden and Russia -- one of those four teams will play in the World Cup final. Which of those teams are you afraid of. All the good teams are on the other side of the draw: Brazil, France, Uruguay and Belgium.
And there are FIFA members who are not independent states in any case, like British Oversea Territories. It is theoretically possible, though highly implausible, that they could make it to a competition I guess.
And perhaps other countries within countries would be permitted to play separately if they wanted? Ours don't want to play united.
Is like the worst thing you can eat after Turkish delight sweets.
Asian qualifying involves a large number of games against v poor opposition. So Saudi do well out of it.
The Swiss have a really good record recently.
The system needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt, but is the best they can come up with. It has the advantage of being, at least, transparent, for seeding.
Swexit
Croexit
Frexit
Brazexit
Belexit
Rusexit
Urexit
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-world-cup-predictions/bracket/
Much as I would want to see England beat Sweden, we had hardly any chances from open play tonight. Sweden werent great going forward themselves,
Nonetheless the dream continues a little longer.
I expect the Cabinet will still be discussing which customs option we go for then as we remain in transition.
It's going to be weird doing all this in winter in the dark.
It’s quite clear we deliberately conceded a goal in order to gain an extra 30 minutes of match practice, and felt that the agony of their losing on penalties would be a suitable recompense for their less than sporting play.
Next game will be an easy 4-0.....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44664229