Did anyone think Geiger was on the England side? Seemed like both teams lost their way here and there, but Columbia sure seemed to be over the top at times. Reading a few articles today makes me wonder if he was biased or just a loser's lament. Plus, who the heck cares what Maradona thinks about it.....
It's been a pretty fun World Cup so far. More good games than I remember. Kane's been getting mauled during set pieces all tournament, so I guess there was some reason for Colombia to be upset about the call. OTOH, Mina was mauling him. I thought it interesting that Japan attacked Belgium from the start. They took that mentality to the very end when a lot of other teams would have been more cautious once it was tied and gone for extra time. I suppose it's hard to argue with them since few would have given them a chance at a 2-0 lead in the first place. And Sweden, Wow. Clearly JasonMa is their good luck charm!
Oh, and France: I am glad in the last game they woke the eff up and tried using some of their amazing assets. Mbappe was like Randy Moss with strength and speed burning it deep. I hope they keep it up as otherwise they're too easy to defend with their usual low pace offense. I find it interesting when traditionally strong nations hit the depths than try to rebound. A mix of surprises and favorites seems good for a tourney. Lots of heavyweights going at it next round in the non-England/Sweden side of the bracket.
That's what it seemed to me....but then wouldnt be the first time I've completely missed something....
So far pretty pleased with how it is going except for the 'heavy' left side of the bracket France is on, Belgium's PSG player Muenier had the assist on their remarkable winner, and Di Maria scored for Argentina and showed quality although I had to favor France. IF France get to the semis or the final they will certainly have earned it. Brazil sees all the press, drama, etc. about their attack but Thiago Silva's play and passion have been incroyable and Becker in goal (Alisson when he is w/ Roma) is/are a big part of why they can succeed despite offensive sputtering at times (.25 GAA so far). Friday morning a Cavani hat trick, Suarez send off, and France scoring 4 times to win shouldn't be too much to ask should it? And they may not need to score 4 because Edinson may not play. Also want Brazil to win in ET or penalties over Belgium, not because I don't like/respect Belgium but at least partly because a France v. Brazil semi will be so good (a final quality match one round early, much like the France v. Argentina match was a semi final quality match two rounds early). And besides France and Belgium can contest the next Euro (England and Sweden play for 3rd ;>)) Realize I have probably doomed both France and Brazil by soccer jinx? I mentioned Alisson up above, if you want a semi-long inspiring 'don't ever quit' story to help you through WC withdrawal (Wimbledon just isn't getting it done for me -- Rapids tonight, realistically don't want to get too hopeful): https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/alisson-becker-this-is-for-my-brother
Edinson Cavani I should have said, trying to avoid using Cavani redundantly made that confusing? Injury from the round of 16, hoping it might just be gamesmanship and it will be two full strength teams.
To help tide you over until QFs begin....(safe for work and small children) https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls
You know.....that bear that was on the left during the river feed that kind of wandered out there....looking confused and staring blindly out over the rushing waters looking left and right, then taking a wild stab at a fish jumping right by him and missing.....all the while never noticing the fish floundering on the rocks right behind him that finally flopped itself off the bears leg and then shot upstream right as the bear turned around with a surprised look on his face..... really reminded me of the Rapids attempts at offense lately
You know....it sure seemed some of the other bears figured it out and were able to get their fish....course the one bear certainly seemed stuck in his ways and content to stand there doing nothing cause maybe he figured the fish would just jump in his mouth at some point.....did seem to have a quick flash where he had a fish in his mouth but then it fell out just as quickly and he returned to standing there looking clueless...
And timing is key - the fish only come by for a few months, when the bear can be there to capture nutrients to survive the seasons. So know, we've covered the offense and the off-season acquisitions.
good reality check on Russia https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...success-obscuring-history-cheating/752651002/
An rishmans plea to stop the world cup 'Coming Home'...#WorldCup #ItsComingHome #ENG pic.twitter.com/X86eO6CtrG— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) July 7, 2018
I had wondered why I hadn’t heard reports of English hooligans in - apparently they stayed home https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2018/7/8/17545742/england-fans-party-ikea-world-cup-sweden-video
UEFA has systematically eliminated them (with help of the Gov'ts) from getting into games. The ones still sometimes showing up belong to the Eastern European teams.
Well, I was bummed to see Sweden go out - England was clearly the better team and is deservedly in the semi-finals. Final Four predictions? Here's mine: France v Belgium - good match with some goal scoring - France goes through 3-2. Croatia v England - England go through 2-0, one goal through the air, one on a PK. Croatia has a chance at a goal with a PK, but Pickford comes up with the save. (I'm an Everton fan, as well, so I must have our ONE English player come through). France v England - 1-1 after regular time, France goes up and wins 2-1 in the extra time period.
That's pretty much my prediction although I don't think it will take extra time for the France/Belgium winner to beat England.
I heard a radio segment at least partly on this topic this a.m. and when I went looking for it I found a more recent story on the same subject in print. Not saying the WC should drive our political policy but ... I am 'just sayin'. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/09/world-cup-semi-finals-immigration What do the World Cup semi-finalists all have in common? Immigration
Which country has produced the most players for this year’s World Cup? The answer somewhat surprised me. Hint: It’s not Brazil. Not even close. https://www.vox.com/videos/2018/7/10/17548670/france-world-cup-mbappe-immigration