Special Event: World Cup 2018 - Semifinals
July 10, 2018 8:24 AM - Subscribe

Will Own Goal strike again? Tune in here for football livewatch and discussion!
posted by LobsterMitten (491 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
I guess I am supporting france because 2018 means nothing has to make sense anymore, there are no rules, it's just mayhem and leftover tacos

anyway allez les bleus apparently
posted by poffin boffin at 8:41 AM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Allez la Belgique!

... no, I'm still a Germany fan, but living 20m from a Belgian biercafe and 33 minutes from the border...

Laten wij gaaaaaaaaaaan!
posted by Seeba at 8:57 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


As a fan of both Belgium and France, this is a can’t lose situation for me. I only wish this were the final so they could go 1-2.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:11 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I lived as a kid in France, but after my family moved back to Iceland when I was six I didn’t go back very often. The one strong emotional link that I had in the public square was supporting Les Bleus, and that bond was cemented in my teens when they won the World Cup and then Euro 2000. SInce then it’s been up and down, mostly down, but my emotions are still bound up the team. So I’m rooting for France, and so is the little six-year-old me. Allez les Bleus!

But if Belgium wins tonight they better go and win the whole shebang dammit.
posted by Kattullus at 9:13 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I am supporting Belgium for completely ignoble reasons.

COME ON BELGIUM!!!
posted by HandfulOfDust at 9:54 AM on July 10, 2018


France v Belgium
FIFA liveblog and preview:
Having both secured their seats at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ table until next weekend's fight for medals, France and Belgium now have to see who will be pursuing gold and who is left searching for bronze. A potentially career-crowning Final is as little as an hour and a half of football away.

The pair arrived with high hopes but outsiders had their doubts about whether the two extravagant jigsaws comprised of stupendous talent could be pieced together in time for a true assault on the Final. While defensive doubts have arisen – against Argentina and Japan respectively – both have stood firm, with Belgium now enjoying their best major tournament since Mexico 1986.

The Red Devils will be without a key – if less flashy – part of their puzzle against France, with Thomas Meunier picking up a second booking prior to them being wiped for the semi-finals. Les Bleus will however be buoyed by the return of Blaise Matuidi, after sitting out a suspension of his own.
BBC: France v Belgium: World Cup semi-final, European battle of world stars, OVERVIEW
Roberto Martinez has urged Belgium to "play without fear" in their World Cup semi-final against France, and given his bold approach in the stunning win against Brazil, it is clearly a mantra he believes in.

With Kevin de Bruyne deployed in a false nine role, Romelu Lukaku found space on the right flank, reprising a ploy Martinez had occasionally used at Everton.

Top scorer Lukaku has not been on target in either of Belgium's two knockout wins but has earned plaudits for his all-round game, and assisted the second goal against Brazil. The striker seems to be relishing working with Martinez's assistant, France's record scorer Thierry Henry.

Henry's presence in the Belgium camp adds additional intrigue to this game. France's last World Cup semi-final, against Portugal in 2006, was decided by a penalty won by Henry and converted by Zinedine Zidane.

France coach Didier Deschamps, a former team-mate of Henry, says it will be "bizarre" to see him on the opposition bench, but adds "he is someone I really appreciate".
NYT live blog, Guardian prematch live blog, 538 sez France 52% to make final and 29% (favorite) to win it all, Belgium 48% to make final and 26% to win it all.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:56 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I'm a fan of first time winners, so I'd prefer Belgium, but I've enjoyed both these teams and I'm really looking forward to the game.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 9:56 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


That Belgium line-up is a lot more defense-minded than I was expecting. I fear this may turn into a grind, a “tactical midfield battle” beloved of no one.
posted by Kattullus at 10:03 AM on July 10, 2018


From The Guardian's liveblog: "... this is the first time since 1986 that countries who share a border have met in the semi-finals of the World Cup. It was France v West Germany back then and Les Bleus lost 2-0. The defeat earned them a spot in the third-place playoff, where they beat Belgium 4-2, the last time these two countries have met at the World Cup. That year was also the last (and only other) time that Belgium reached the last four of the tournament – and it was their bad luck that they ran into Diego Maradona in his glorious prime. "

Thirty two years.
posted by ardgedee at 10:04 AM on July 10, 2018


KOM OP, RODE DUIVELS!!!

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

So conflicted. Everyone just go out and have a good game, OK?
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:45 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


*jumps up and down, stretches muscles in typing fingers*
posted by languagehat at 10:57 AM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Allez les bleus! I took a nap, so I'm all ready.
posted by ersatz at 10:59 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Cuppa is ready. I'm ready.

But a cuppa is not a beer.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:01 AM on July 10, 2018


One team in all blue, the other in all red, and we're just two all-black goalkeepers from this looking like my table football game.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:04 AM on July 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


Holy crap, I turned on the TV, which happened to be on the station showing the Tour de France, and instead of the Tour they’ve got the Telemundo feed of the game! I won’t ask questions, I’ll just enjoy it.
posted by languagehat at 11:05 AM on July 10, 2018 [5 favorites]


Eden is being a Hazard, as usual.
posted by ersatz at 11:06 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


(You were waiting to use that one, weren't you?)
posted by Liesl at 11:08 AM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


I don’t have a rooting interest in the game (except that it would be fun, for Agincourt reasons, to have a France-England final), so I’m just hoping for an exciting game.
posted by languagehat at 11:09 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


is Lukaku talking to the ref or his team-mates there as he wins the throw in down the side?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:11 AM on July 10, 2018


So far I’ve heard “Hazard” pronounced three different ways by the Spanish-speaking announcers.
posted by languagehat at 11:13 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I would like a Belgium-England final, because pitting beer against beer appeals to me when Germany is not involved. Beyond that I don’t have a horse in any of these races.
posted by ardgedee at 11:15 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Ooh, dangerous shot from Hazard!
posted by languagehat at 11:15 AM on July 10, 2018


except that it would be fun, for Agincourt reasons, to have a France-England final

France suffers during a 120ish years conflict but ends up exiting stronger while England falls to infighting?
posted by ersatz at 11:16 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


irony if the game runs to 120ish min
posted by poffin boffin at 11:18 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Hazard is on fire
posted by motdiem2 at 11:19 AM on July 10, 2018


Another dangerous shot from Hazard!
posted by languagehat at 11:19 AM on July 10, 2018


So far I’ve heard “Hazard” pronounced three different ways by the Spanish-speaking announcers.

I'm watching on a bootleg TRT stream, as I have been since the Telemundo freebies ended, and listening to the Turkish announcers say Alderweireld is really one of the highlights of this experience.
posted by karayel at 11:20 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Hazard so hazardous that it's rippling back in time to make his name mean that
posted by zjacreman at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018


Varane is everywhere too - but I’m not so confident of the French defense
posted by motdiem2 at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I love the pleasure the announcers take in saying Fellaini.
posted by languagehat at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Lloris though. What a goalie.
posted by motdiem2 at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018 [5 favorites]


Meanwhile Fox’s app is broken. Truly society’s greatest villains.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Amazing save! Belgium are playing better so far.
posted by ersatz at 11:21 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


A different kind of Spurs connection.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:22 AM on July 10, 2018


Belgium really have France on the back foot. Varane and Lloris have been keeping things level through heroic defending and goalkeeping, respectively.
posted by Kattullus at 11:22 AM on July 10, 2018


> Meanwhile Fox’s app is broken.

Fox’s app has erroneously informed me that I don’t have the appropriate subscription to view the game. Fortunately YouTubeTV is not indulging in this nonsense.
posted by ardgedee at 11:23 AM on July 10, 2018


Yeah, France better get their act together if they don’t want to wind up in the consolation game. Belgium looks supremely confident.
posted by languagehat at 11:25 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


But Lloris is amazing.
posted by languagehat at 11:26 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Graun is saying that "France aren’t pretending to try outplaying Belgium here, they’re all set-up for the smash-n-grab." I can see that.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:26 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


That Atomium hat is like the most space-disco thing I've seen in a while.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:29 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I love the pleasure the announcers take in saying Fellaini.

During the Japan match when he scored I uncontrollably shouted out his name the moment he put his head to the cross. If anything I was cheering for Japan but I still had to say his name.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:30 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


The minute-by-minute ticker is A LIE.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:31 AM on July 10, 2018


Wonder who of vertonghen or Pavard will get a yellow first
posted by motdiem2 at 11:32 AM on July 10, 2018


After being astonished that England and Croatia won (because that means my curse is broken, since I was rooting for both teams to win!), I'm excited because I have no idea who will win now. I can root for a team and not feel like I'm jinxing them! As it stands, I'm cheering for France just because.

Also these later matches are showing while I'm at work so I've had to follow via the minute-by-minute and y'all here, but today I'm using a VPN on my phone to surreptitiously watch on BBC iplayer (shhh, don't tell my boss!).
posted by paisley sheep at 11:32 AM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Come on Giroud !
posted by motdiem2 at 11:33 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Giroud, what you do[ing]???
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:34 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


“Como es que no fue gol de Giroud??”
posted by languagehat at 11:34 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Can't decide who to root for... any advice? I've enjoyed both teams a lot so far. But just rooting for "the better team to win" is just not the same. I'd enjoy Mbappe scoring over Lukaku scoring... but the better team so far is clearly Belgium...

::tossing coin just to see if I like the result::
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:35 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Let the game tell you who to root for, grasshopper.
posted by languagehat at 11:38 AM on July 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


Now they are magic-spraying the meaty French ankle of Olivier Giroud.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:39 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


As usual i am rooting against the referees - like how obviously was Griezman's run impeded there by the ref - its a huge field, get yourself out of the way!
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:39 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


So close!
posted by ersatz at 11:39 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


What a save!!
posted by languagehat at 11:39 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ooh! That was marginally close-ish, somewhat ... perhaps ...
posted by the quidnunc kid at 11:39 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


i cant believe it took this long into the tournament, but ill be damned if Pavard doesnt look a whole lot like Anton Yelchin (rip).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:41 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


I don't get why the goalie is such a contrarian and refuses all input.
posted by ersatz at 11:41 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Both goalies are ON IT tonight
posted by motdiem2 at 11:43 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Nonono languagehat... like a normal football fan, I need to form a spontaneous and irrational allegiance that will likely result in unnecessary heartbreak. Otherwise it's not the real thing
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:43 AM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


I’ve missed a few games, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen a team with a goalie all in white. Or is he some spooky apparition of the netherworld? Ghost goalie!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 11:43 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Dembélé is uncharacteristically illdisciplined tonight.
posted by Kattullus at 11:44 AM on July 10, 2018


Oh wait hang on his arms are green. Actually his whole outfit is slightly green-? Ectoplasmic, one might say.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 11:45 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Peep! Not a great half, but fun.
posted by languagehat at 11:46 AM on July 10, 2018


I’m enjoying this game. Way more entertaining than I thought it’d be
posted by motdiem2 at 11:47 AM on July 10, 2018




Oh wait hang on his arms are green. Actually his whole outfit is slightly green-? Ectoplasmic, one might say.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 7:45 PM on July 10 [+] [!]

He is definitely of this world. Nothing is getting through him (thank goodness).
posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:47 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


It went by pretty quickly though, which is a good sign.
posted by ersatz at 11:49 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


🎶 It’s coming Rome, it’s coming Rome! Football’s coming Rome!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 11:49 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


mogget: Notably while not even bothering to qualify themselves... Ils sont fous ces Romains
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:49 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Per The Guardian’s stats, Belgium has been controlling the ball (58% of possession), but France has been better at ball control (twice as many shots on goal).
posted by ardgedee at 11:50 AM on July 10, 2018


Sadly, I’m at the optometrist’s, and, even if he sees me quickly, my eyes will be too dilated for football-viewing. It’s a cruel ocular world.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:51 AM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Get in!!!!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:08 PM on July 10, 2018


And Umtiti, allez!
posted by ersatz at 12:08 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Aargh!
posted by HandfulOfDust at 12:08 PM on July 10, 2018


Buuuut ! Umtiti !
posted by motdiem2 at 12:08 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


FINALLY
posted by poffin boffin at 12:08 PM on July 10, 2018


GOOOOOOLLL!!!
posted by languagehat at 12:09 PM on July 10, 2018


Oh silly foul, all things considered ...
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:11 PM on July 10, 2018


I was in the middle of writing a comment about how I was puzzled how Umtiti, who looks the size of a child who’s small for his age, keeps outjumping these Belgian giants. And then I had to interrupt my comment writing to dance around the living room for a while.
posted by Kattullus at 12:12 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


My heart!
posted by languagehat at 12:13 PM on July 10, 2018


Oh the fuck! France got some energy now (for understandable reasons ...)
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:14 PM on July 10, 2018


And once again so close. I'm loving the ball movement of France when it counts.
posted by ersatz at 12:14 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Giroud is trash
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:14 PM on July 10, 2018


This is getting wild.
posted by languagehat at 12:14 PM on July 10, 2018


Just wanted to say to those of you actually watching the game: I hate you all.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:16 PM on July 10, 2018 [7 favorites]


That Mbappé makes me happé! :-)
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:16 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Ataca Francia...
posted by languagehat at 12:16 PM on July 10, 2018


I thought he was going to hide the ball in his shirt and that seemed less than sporting.
posted by shothotbot at 12:17 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I hate you all.

OMG I hate me all too!!! We should totally have a beer soon, Cappy! :-)
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:18 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Come on België! Bring it on!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:18 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Kom op, rode duivels!
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:20 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


OAAAH!!!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:22 PM on July 10, 2018


Mbappé is such a joy to watch
posted by karayel at 12:24 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Mbappé is fantastic. Giroud, well, is Giroud
posted by motdiem2 at 12:25 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Giroud seems truly dispirited after leaving glorious Arsenal.
posted by ersatz at 12:25 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


De Bruyne looking a bit off.
posted by lmfsilva at 12:25 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Say what you will about Giroud’s attacking contributions, he’s been a rock when France are defending.
posted by Kattullus at 12:29 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Some might say he’s also been a decent defender for Belgium /s
posted by motdiem2 at 12:30 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I say this as I understand Giroud’s value to the team, but still, he can be incredibly frustrating
posted by motdiem2 at 12:31 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


i am losing the battle against pain meds to stay awake and foolishly said aloud "what could really happen in 13 minutes anyway" so this should be good
posted by poffin boffin at 12:35 PM on July 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


Finished the appointment and found a screen I can sort of see!
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:37 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


that has GOT to be a foul on Hazard there
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:37 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


That was a clear foul on Hazard
posted by motdiem2 at 12:37 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Yeah, what could ever happen (everything's happening).
posted by ersatz at 12:39 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


this is VERY compelling soccer
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:39 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Hang on, poffin! Don’t leave us now!
posted by languagehat at 12:39 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


hazard keeps taking these rough tackles, i feel like theyre going to get him with one and it might be inside the box when they do . . .
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:40 PM on July 10, 2018


do those french fans know they are facing the wrong way
posted by poffin boffin at 12:40 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


I've stopped pretending to look like I'm working and am just staring at my phone now.
posted by paisley sheep at 12:40 PM on July 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


I can see Belgium scoring at the last minute
posted by motdiem2 at 12:41 PM on July 10, 2018


I've stopped pretending to look like I'm working and am just staring at my phone now.

We dont move to the new all-open-plan office until NEXT month, thank dog.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:41 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Matuidi gave all he had. He looks completely spent.
posted by motdiem2 at 12:43 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I too would like to give Matuidi a consoling hug
posted by karayel at 12:44 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Shame about Matuidi. He's been really key throughout the game.
posted by Liesl at 12:45 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


he looked absolutely dazed and unwell, i thought he was going to barf all over the ref
posted by poffin boffin at 12:45 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Matuidi should not have been let back on, both for concussion reasons and game/time management ones. . .

Finally Hazard gets his call.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:45 PM on July 10, 2018


If I wanted to have a heart attack, I'd be watching basketball!
posted by ersatz at 12:46 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


So much tension
posted by motdiem2 at 12:47 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


This really is wildly exciting.
posted by languagehat at 12:47 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


I hate you all. Hate you hate you hate you.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:48 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Pogba should get a yellow for tossing that ball into the corner after he was fouled. watching the team with the lead bleed out the clock is the second worst part of this totally perfect sport.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:49 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


The Telemundo announcers are extremely disturbed that there are six minutes of extra time.
posted by languagehat at 12:49 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


And there I thought this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship...
posted by ersatz at 12:50 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


what an excellent but infuriating save
posted by poffin boffin at 12:50 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


this match has been so enjoyable I almost want it to go to extra time
posted by karayel at 12:52 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


yeah ill take another 30 please
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:52 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Enorme Courtois!
posted by languagehat at 12:53 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


excellent and infuriating save x2
posted by karayel at 12:54 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


No hay tiempo para mas! Francia!!
posted by languagehat at 12:54 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Arse. Oh well. Congratulations, France. See you on Sunday, I hope...

'Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
posted by HandfulOfDust at 12:55 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


It was totally worth rushing to a bar to see that. And they didn’t do the test where they repeatedly jab me in the eye. So it’s a win-win day.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:55 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


I feel bad for Belgium but Operation Agincourt is on track.
posted by languagehat at 12:56 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I’ve never seen a game before which had 6 hours of added time.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!
posted by Kattullus at 12:56 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Alas, poor Belgium.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:56 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


That was a good game. Worthy of a final.
posted by motdiem2 at 12:56 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


yay and also yay for nap time
posted by poffin boffin at 12:57 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I'm just making inarticulate sounds at this point...

For GOD's grrmph, will you frunk the grrrzzz, you barkrffgh
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 12:58 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


This was played at the level of a Champions League semifinal. That’s rare in international tournaments. It will take some doing to get the better of France on Sunday.
posted by Kattullus at 12:59 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


::grumble grumble::

I wasn't able to work out a way to stream the game while at work, alas. So I'll probably miss tomorrow as well.

Oh well. looking forward to the weekend matches!
posted by lazaruslong at 12:59 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


I'm extremely happy to see France in another final and hopefully this time they'll get what they didn't in 2006. Allez les bleus!
posted by ersatz at 1:01 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


It's honestly hilarious that "1-0, only goal from a header" is a scenario that I would use to describe a terrible hypothetical game, when in reality it was amazing.
posted by grandiloquiet at 1:06 PM on July 10, 2018 [7 favorites]


I have to say, I haven't been overly impressed with France as a team, Mbappé and Griezmann aside, but that was a truly muscular and coherent performance by the whole. I was pulling for Belgium, but they were unusually sloppy in attack today and much too narrow. France are worthy winners, and I'm pretty happy for Didier Deschamps too, who has always been a class act despite some shady nonsense from his national federation. The game tomorrow will be quite spicy.
posted by Errant at 1:07 PM on July 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


mbappe was FAKKKKKING amazing ......that backheel in the box tho'

hazard looked so dangerous, but he could get nuffink thru

am disappointed in de bruyne, was expecting more

but france's dynamic, team driven defense was the winner here. truly formidable abotu shutting everyone the fuck out.

(was a little disappointed about their shit-housery at the end, but whattayagonnado)
posted by lalochezia at 1:09 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I don't think I've managed to see any of France's games live yet this World Cup, so I'm excited for the final. It's going to be a big weekend for the French, I guess, what with Bastille Day followed by a possible World Cup...
posted by the primroses were over at 1:10 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


I guess I picked a good game to start watching. What a great second half... It felt like it could tie or go 2-0 at any moment up until the final seconds. Even the egregious time wasting was on point because a yellow card didn't mean anything and everyone was letting it hang out.
posted by fleacircus at 1:11 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


::ctrl-f:: “Lukaku”

No?

Seems about right for today’s match.
posted by Seeba at 1:11 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


France v England Final?

I feel sorry for England already.

(Although, per my previous realization, I will be cheering for Croatia to win the whole thing....)
posted by 256 at 1:32 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Which hopefully just means I feel sorry for England even sooner
posted by 256 at 1:36 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


Hilarious from the Guardian: “That was the most instantly forgettable semi-final for a long time,” fumes Daniel Barnett, who, by definition, can’t remember a more forgettable one.
posted by Errant at 1:42 PM on July 10, 2018 [19 favorites]


Was not able to find where to watch it (here, off in the barely civilized wilds of West Texas) and then stumbled into a lobby where it was playing. Missed the first half, but only the first half. I had hoped all along for France to do well but watching Belgium’s spirited intelligent play somewhere along the way decided they would be pretty great to watch as well. And in the second half as Belgium attacked again and again and again I kept waiting for the tie goal. France had a few moments of very nearly seeing it all up but then Belgium would come back, my allegiance would waver.
The tie goal was just about to happen for at least thirty minutes and the bar’s allegiance was not clear but was still engaged. The game seemed to be rising to a climax of some sort as the last ten minutes were winding down and I hoped it would go into extra time because dammit they were playing terrific football. And then the lights. went. out. Literally. Power cut out, everything went black and what are you going to do but laugh? Someone found it on their phone. Some staff came out from here and there and rushed around, I was counting down the time in my head and listening to the timber of the phone’s play-back, listening for the goal Belgium were going to score any second now. The lights came back on pretty quickly but the TV had to find the satellite and time -goo golly- dragged.
Things were sorted out just in time for the 6(!) minutes if extra time. Belgium did great, really, but France has too much talent.
But man is Mbappé a little bit of a spoiled brat. Brilliant but he’s going to never be who he could be if he doesn’t get his head right...
posted by From Bklyn at 4:22 PM on July 10, 2018 [3 favorites]


Finally catching up with the comments here after watching the game after I got home from work. Sad I missed seeing it live with you guys, especially the chance to complain about the refereeing towards the end.

Watching this game, and with England's performance so far, it got me wondering if perhaps they represent the future in terms of how to field a successful World Cup team - if you already have a good number of talented youngsters, field a young, coachable team, instead of a collection of superstars (*cough* England of yore *cough*), or as more commonly seen, one superstar and supporting cast. Of the four semifinalists in this World Cup, two have been young teams, neither of them having stars of the caliber of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo as of the start of the tournament. One of these young teams is already on to the final. We'll see how the other one fares tomorrow.
posted by needled at 5:58 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


As I was returning home, there were plenty of French tourists celebrating in the streets. I noticed some vintage Zidane shirts and honked supportively at a group.
posted by ersatz at 12:42 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I’m cautiously optimistic about tonight’s game for England, although the match-up of Jordan Henderson against Luka Modric is a bit… worrying.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 2:36 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


An enormous French flag has appeared in my front yard, I'm assuming courtesy of my Parisian upstairs neighbour.
posted by 256 at 5:49 AM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Anyone know somewhere in Montreal where I can buy an oversized Croatian flag in the next few hours?
posted by 256 at 5:59 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]



Anyone know somewhere in Montreal where I can buy an oversized Croatian flag in the next few hours?


RIGHT HERE

Allez, allez, angleterre!
posted by lalochezia at 7:47 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]




Croatia v England:
FIFA liveblog and match preview
Guardian match buildup and liveblog
BBC: match preview and liveblog

BBC: Croatia v England: 'Maybe, just maybe, this time it will be different'

Telegraph: England vs Croatia - the definitive guide: Tactical breakdown, set-piece secrets and our World Cup match verdict

Guardian: Croatia v England: where the World Cup semi-final could be won or lost - Croatia’s midfield, Trippier v Perisic, Set plays, Penalties, Mandzukic v Maguire

Much of the recent revolution in professional sports has been in coaching psychology : How the psychology of the England football team could change your life

Croatia-England: beyond football, how can we rekindle hope? - "Progressive politics has lost its way, both in my country and the UK. Some things are more important than the beautiful game"
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:29 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


The psychologist interview was interesting. Even by the harrowing standard of international football coverage, the British press is just breathtakingly cruel. I've always wondered how much that hurts team performance...
posted by grandiloquiet at 9:43 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


I remember an article where they claimed this generation might feel less pressure with the national team because most were too young or weren't even born to remember how crushing the semi-final PK defeats against Germany in Turin and Wembley were. What they do remember are mostly middling quarter-final teams at best that probably could have done better, but didn't.
posted by lmfsilva at 9:56 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Croatian Firefighters watching the PKs on Saturday.

This is great.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 10:20 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I’m currently on a ferry from Tallinn that’s arriving in Helsinki. I’ll be disembarking when the game starts, will then make my way home, and so probably will catch very little of the first half. I’m therefore hoping for a game on the Japan-Belgium model, where everything of note happens in the second half. That said, I’m pretty tired after waking up much too early to catch the ferry going the other way, so I’m hoping for a late decider in normal time.
posted by Kattullus at 10:39 AM on July 11, 2018


Go England!

::sounds of English mefites' heads exploding::
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 10:47 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


why is extremely terrible music blaring from my speakers
posted by poffin boffin at 11:00 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Remember, kids: it doesn't matter who wins, if we all play a good game and have fun. That way, we all win!
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:01 AM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


Kattullus, you were in Tallinn at least. Pretty little city.
posted by ersatz at 11:02 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I can't watch live today so I'm relying on y'all to keep me updated so I don't become too bitter about it.

I'm also wearing my England shirt for the first time this WC (I didn't think I needed to dig it out, y'know, 'cause England...), which makes me worry I've once again jinxed things.
posted by paisley sheep at 11:02 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Mostly I just can't decide who I want to see England lose to more, Croatia or France.

no that's a lie, it's france
posted by poffin boffin at 11:03 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Goal Trippier!!
posted by languagehat at 11:05 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I mean if you really want to see someone lose, it's never too early to start cheering for it. Who thought Russia would beat Spain...?
posted by grandiloquiet at 11:05 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


And there we go
posted by ersatz at 11:05 AM on July 11, 2018


oohhhh shiiiit. What a free kick!
posted by adrianhon at 11:05 AM on July 11, 2018


SEE
posted by grandiloquiet at 11:06 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


So technically I should celebrate this goal, which feels odd, but nevertheless. YAY
posted by poffin boffin at 11:06 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Well
posted by fleacircus at 11:06 AM on July 11, 2018


loving the celebratory arm crossing from southgate
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:06 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


The announcers had just said he had never scored for his country.
posted by languagehat at 11:06 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


> Remember, kids: it doesn't matter who wins [...]

Now that's just crazy talk right there
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:11 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


How do soccer players survive those victory pileons when an opponent tapping their shoulder risks a skeletal injury?
posted by ardgedee at 11:11 AM on July 11, 2018 [10 favorites]


Gah I am working on Important Document Due Today and I keep wanting to check the Guardian liveblog. Did I mention I work in an open office?
posted by needled at 11:11 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


OK, I just made a cuppa, and I can settle in for the game now. Have I missed anythi--
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:11 AM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Hey just a request: Can we put the GOOOOOOOOOAL comments on, like, a 30 second delay? Some people are watching mysteriously delayed feeds...
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:15 AM on July 11, 2018


If you have enough screens available and are feeling deprived of metaness, The Guardian’s liveblog has helpfully supplied a link to a livestream of England and Croatia fans watching the game.
posted by ardgedee at 11:18 AM on July 11, 2018


I wish there was a picture-in-a-picture that was just all crowd shots.
posted by fleacircus at 11:19 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse that I'm working in a soundproofed room right now (literally 7-9 tonight).
posted by Dysk at 11:19 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


When I've been watching on delayed feeds, I usually just stop refreshing the page when a goal-scoring situation is likely (corner, free kick, etc.). I did have one England goal spoiled for me by Mefi but that was more amusing than anything else ;)
posted by adrianhon at 11:21 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I’ll try to remember, but it kind of takes the air out of the thread if we can’t respond to exciting events as they happen.
posted by languagehat at 11:21 AM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


yeah whenever i see a sudden [5 new comments] i know exactly what happened without having to refresh
posted by poffin boffin at 11:22 AM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


Yeah, fair. Have at it :)
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 11:23 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


GOAL.....



...keeper has the ball.
posted by Pendragon at 11:24 AM on July 11, 2018 [10 favorites]


England's leggy boys don't really like to set up an offense do they.
posted by fleacircus at 11:25 AM on July 11, 2018


Finding out about a goal here is just as exciting as reading about it on the Guardian MBM so I appreciate the fact that I can get the news just that much quicker here.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:25 AM on July 11, 2018


One of the idiots on the game here spent every replay of the goal trying to find something bad about it. If it was a Ronaldo free kick where tripped and ended up doing a low shot that hit on someone on the wall and the goalkeeper let it hit him on the chest before going in would be a Puskas candidate.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:26 AM on July 11, 2018


Some grade A eejit is setting off fireworks on my street and the spent containers are falling into my back garden. Its Bright sunshine outside ffs.
posted by Faintdreams at 11:29 AM on July 11, 2018


Ooooo(ps)
posted by Rumple at 11:30 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


It's hot here, so all my doors are open. Therefore my notification of goals (in all games) is based on exterior noise level.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 11:30 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Subasić has been amazing this cup
posted by ersatz at 11:30 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Kane so, so close of hitting the second.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:30 AM on July 11, 2018


The officiating today really is shit.
posted by ardgedee at 11:31 AM on July 11, 2018


Whew that was close. My primary hope for this match is just that Subašić makes it through whole and unharmed.
posted by karayel at 11:32 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Ref forget to bring his yellow card or something?
posted by fleacircus at 11:33 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Ashley Young with a fantastic sliding tackle to deny them there. Those kind of passes often end up on the back of the net.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:34 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Lingard had to do a lot better there. I think he was so alone he ended up overthinking the play.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:37 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Poor Kattullus — all the action happened while he was on the ferry.
posted by languagehat at 11:38 AM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


So. Anyone read any good books lately?
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:43 AM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


I'm surprised there is no TV on the Tallinn - Helsinki ferry.
posted by Rumple at 11:45 AM on July 11, 2018


I'm just doing mental math of Croatia atrocities in Bosnia ca 1994 vs entire British Fucking Empire. It's like an unsolvable sudoku. Math is hard.

I remain neutral.
posted by Rumple at 11:46 AM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


Peep!
posted by languagehat at 11:46 AM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ooof, Rakitic is not going to like watching that play on the TV. Hesitated just for enough time to get Walker all over him.
posted by lmfsilva at 11:47 AM on July 11, 2018


AND had modric right there at the top of the box
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:48 AM on July 11, 2018


This is fun to watch with my loud Scottish boss in a bar full of Croatia supporters!
posted by gemmy at 11:48 AM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


This is not the most exciting game so far, let's hope it improves.
posted by ersatz at 11:49 AM on July 11, 2018


> I'm just doing mental math of Croatia atrocities in Bosnia ca 1994 vs entire British Fucking Empire. It's like an unsolvable sudoku.

Well, all countries have bloody pasts, and of course it's problematic mixing football and politics, but for me the difference is that it's highly likely every player on the Croatia team is nationalistic enough to support his country's recent history, atrocities and all (though they'd probably deny they were atrocities), whereas I doubt many England players are rah-rah about the atrocities of the British Fucking Empire.
posted by languagehat at 11:50 AM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


It's like an unsolvable sudoku.

i have chosen support for england specifically because i feel they will take losing to france much harder, which of course amuses me
posted by poffin boffin at 11:51 AM on July 11, 2018 [8 favorites]


Croatia apparently have no idea what to do when they get to goal, not sure I expect that to improve next half.
posted by grandiloquiet at 11:54 AM on July 11, 2018


Also I kinda hope nothing exciting happens soon, YouTubeTV just died. No idea what's wrong, so I'm now feeling anxious about Sunday.
posted by grandiloquiet at 11:55 AM on July 11, 2018



Also I kinda hope nothing exciting happens soon, YouTubeTV just died. No idea what's wrong, so I'm now feeling anxious about Sunday.


COUGH
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccerstreams/
COUGH
posted by lalochezia at 11:56 AM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


they will take losing to france much harder, which of course amuses me

God help us all if England beats France in the final, and makes it the English topic of conversation for the next hundred and fifty years.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:57 AM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Thanks lalochezia, didn't occur to me to look elsewhere!
posted by grandiloquiet at 11:58 AM on July 11, 2018



God help us all if England beats France in the final, and makes it the English topic of conversation for the next hundred and fifty years.


IF YOU"RE LUCKY

DID I TELL YOU THE TIME ÆTHELRED OF WESSEX STOMPED THAT VIKING ARSE ENGERLAND ENGERLAND ENGELRLAND
posted by lalochezia at 11:59 AM on July 11, 2018 [9 favorites]


Time-Warner Spectrum has decided to be absolute shits and prevent YouTube TV’s video streaming precisely at the end of the first half. Fuckers.
posted by ardgedee at 12:01 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Yes no doubt many of the Croatia squad have parents with blood on their hands. But then my own grandfather took part in a large massacre by the British Army in Tibet in 1904.
posted by Rumple at 12:02 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


DID I TELL YOU THE TIME ÆTHELRED OF WESSEX STOMPED THAT VIKING ARSE ENGERLAND ENGERLAND ENGELRLAN

Athelstan, ffs.
posted by Segundus at 12:04 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


> ENGERLAND ENGERLAND ENGELRLAND

IÞYM ENGLALAND ENGLALAND ENGLALAND

> Yes no doubt many of the Croatia squad have parents with blood on their hands. But then my own grandfather took part in a large massacre by the British Army in Tibet in 1904.

Sure, but I'm not talking about their parents or grandparents, I'm talking about their own attitudes. Germany has, uh, history, but I'm pretty sure all the Germany players reject it. Modern-day Croatia (like modern-day Serbia) enthusiastically embraces its problematic past.
posted by languagehat at 12:08 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I'm rooting for England today because I used to live there and my family is still there so, y'know, country loyalty. But I definitely want France to win on Sunday no matter who wins today because not only do they have the better team (*hearteyes* for Mbappe), but I'd hate the nationalistic fervor that would come from an England win.
posted by paisley sheep at 12:08 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I’m watching the match on Telemundo because it appears to be the only live video not being blocked.
posted by ardgedee at 12:09 PM on July 11, 2018


It's getting chippy!
posted by fleacircus at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2018


The refereeing sucks.
posted by languagehat at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2018


Uh oh TVs at work mysteriously are on and showing the game.
posted by needled at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


unfortunately i expect that england fans will yell and smash no matter what the outcome, like american sports enthusiasts to whom notions of public sanity and normal expressions of cheer are unthinkable.
posted by poffin boffin at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


The first yellow card comes out... on an England player? Wtf
posted by ardgedee at 12:14 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Is there a Croatian equivalent of Ikea to smash up?
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:14 PM on July 11, 2018


unfortunately i expect that england fans will yell and smash no matter what the outcome,

ÆTHELRED OF WESSEX DISLIKES YOUR PREJUDICE ARE YOU A VIKING
posted by lalochezia at 12:15 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


Well, I wouldn't want to automatically put all Croats into the same basket of deplorables. Anyway, my barber is a Kosovar so they are the Balkan team for me.
posted by Rumple at 12:15 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I believe a croatian player was carded first for time wasting(???) when he threw a ball out of bounds during a stoppage of play.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:15 PM on July 11, 2018


ARE YOU A VIKING

yes and we must now meet in the holmgang
posted by poffin boffin at 12:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


France 7-1 England would work for me.
posted by Rumple at 12:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


unfortunately i expect that england fans will yell and smash no matter what the outcome, like american sports enthusiasts to whom notions of public sanity and normal expressions of cheer are unthinkable.

True, but I was thinking more along the lines of how insufferable they'd be since people are still talking about the 1966 win and I can only imagine how annoying this one would be in post-Brexit times.
posted by paisley sheep at 12:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


Yes agreed which is also similarly why I was so relieved that the US didn't place.
posted by poffin boffin at 12:18 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


ÆTHELRED OF WESSEX HAS NOTHING AGAINST A CUSTOMS UNION OR COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
posted by lalochezia at 12:19 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


ALSO FINING MICROSOFT AND ÆPPLE IS PRETTY COOL TOO
posted by lalochezia at 12:20 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Did you know England won the only world cup worth talking about?
posted by ersatz at 12:21 PM on July 11, 2018


Every back pass to the goalie makes me pee my pants a little bit.
posted by fleacircus at 12:21 PM on July 11, 2018


Man, the Croatian team can do anything to the England players short of literally pulling knives on them.
posted by ardgedee at 12:22 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


"collapsed in his newly trademarked position" UGLY CACKLING
posted by poffin boffin at 12:22 PM on July 11, 2018


Yeah, Croatia is getting more and more thuggish.
posted by languagehat at 12:23 PM on July 11, 2018


..........


how well does the numbing spray work when it's the groin?


.... asking for a friend.
posted by Seeba at 12:23 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


"the stomach or a little bit lower"
posted by Rock Steady at 12:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Everyone gets insufferable with a World Cup win. That's why I love peeking the national press anytime one of the big boys gets an early departure. I stayed up all night trying to find every Brazilian newspaper after the 7-1 and I'm still pissed I couldn't afford the newspapers when Greece beat our asses in 2004.
posted by lmfsilva at 12:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Oh dear.
posted by Faintdreams at 12:25 PM on July 11, 2018


HOLY SHIT
posted by languagehat at 12:25 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Game on!
posted by ersatz at 12:25 PM on July 11, 2018


A THING HAS HAPPENED WHICH IS SPOILERY
posted by poffin boffin at 12:25 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Telemundo has informed me that I’m only allowed to watch a half hour of the game, for fuck knows what reason.
posted by ardgedee at 12:26 PM on July 11, 2018


that is a high boot call in any game but this and a WC final (and im okay with it)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:26 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
posted by Seeba at 12:26 PM on July 11, 2018


pens ahoy
posted by languagehat at 12:27 PM on July 11, 2018


That was Hvar from satisfactory
posted by Rumple at 12:27 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


That's a high effing boot.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:28 PM on July 11, 2018


Rock Steady - totally agree but would YOU be the ref willing to call it in that scenario???
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:28 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


And goal post defender of the match once again
posted by ersatz at 12:29 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


ffffff
posted by fleacircus at 12:29 PM on July 11, 2018


my feed froze right as croatia stole that ball - longest 4 seconds of my life (and im a neutral!)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:29 PM on July 11, 2018


Hachi machi
posted by Rock Steady at 12:30 PM on July 11, 2018


He did not use a knife therefore it’s fair.
posted by ardgedee at 12:30 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


looks like Croatia just found the mojo they've been missing for the past hour or so
posted by karayel at 12:30 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


England looking a bit too uncoordinated in the back - nobody even reacted to the short corner.
posted by lmfsilva at 12:31 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


anyway if the final is ENG FRA then all comments in that thread must be either in old norse or langue d'oc
posted by poffin boffin at 12:31 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


"En de fans van England zingt dat Football is coming home, maar football is nu a long way from home..."

... I love Universal English.
posted by Seeba at 12:32 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


languagehat: Poor Kattullus — all the action happened while he was on the ferry.

I arrived home just in time to settle down in the sofa and see the equalizer :-)
posted by Kattullus at 12:32 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


If Croatia wins we blame Kattallus
posted by Rumple at 12:33 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Between this thread and my boyfriend's texts I am being kept very entertainingly updated. This is probably more fun than actually watching the game (and I get to listen to a sort of post punk band in the next room, who are miles more pleasant than the commentary).
posted by Dysk at 12:33 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Kinda sad to see Sterling off already; but nice to see CRO actually playing some, now.
posted by progosk at 12:34 PM on July 11, 2018


anyway if the final is ENG FRA then all comments in that thread must be either in old norse or langue d'oc

Oc.
posted by ersatz at 12:34 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


ffufufufuffufufu
posted by lalochezia at 12:34 PM on July 11, 2018


excuse me i think you mean ᚠᚠᚢᚠᚢᚠᚢᚠᚢ
posted by poffin boffin at 12:36 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Neyðin kennir naktri konu að spinna.
posted by Rumple at 12:36 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Oh fer criminy’s sake, the connection at work just pooped out. Will anyone notice if I slipped out to the corner pub for the last however many minutes?
posted by Liesl at 12:37 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Yup, that’s it: all viewing options cut off. Wtf.
posted by ardgedee at 12:37 PM on July 11, 2018


Through the noise of Croatian cheering, the England fans singing God Save the Queen sound like an old shellac record of miners stuck down a coal mine who’ve decided to use their last bit of oxygen to sing.
posted by Kattullus at 12:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


you are missing the british nat'l anthem sung by 50k dangerously flushed fans being led by kazoos
posted by poffin boffin at 12:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Right -- I'll step out to the washroom. That usually provokes something happening in the game.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:40 PM on July 11, 2018


The kazoo anthem was hilarious.
posted by knapah at 12:41 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Seems like croatia have figured out how to foul just enough on offense to confuse England's defense.
posted by fleacircus at 12:41 PM on July 11, 2018


Streama has Spanish options(Telecinco).
posted by ersatz at 12:43 PM on July 11, 2018


I kind of want this to go to penalties and Croatia to win because going through 3 rounds of penalties in the same World Cup sounds like a record.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:43 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


both teams tired & making mistakes
posted by lalochezia at 12:44 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Italian streaming is way behind the TV being watched by a minor but loud Croatian contingent in the pizzeria on the piazza below; it’s hot so our open window lets them spoil our suspense by half a minute. Another small lesson in the relativity of space-time (not really).
posted by progosk at 12:45 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Any guesses who well see as the extra time subs? surely the coaches will use them here, these guys look gassed.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:45 PM on July 11, 2018


Yeah, this is not an inspiring game.
posted by languagehat at 12:46 PM on July 11, 2018


Free kick for England!
posted by languagehat at 12:48 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


They'll bring Vardy on at least.
posted by Rumple at 12:49 PM on July 11, 2018


Björn Kuipers had the board with the added time up and three minutes ten seconds before full time LIKE A FUCKING PRO

I hope he gets the final, he’s been brilliant this tournament.
posted by Kattullus at 12:49 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


...anticlimax.
posted by languagehat at 12:49 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


1-1 at the full time mark (end of stoppage).

Croatia is leading England in shots, on-targets, possession, pass accuracy, and yellow cards.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:51 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


My heart, my poor heart
posted by HandfulOfDust at 12:52 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Coworkers are stepping into my office to keep me updated on the score. It's so sweet -- they all think I'm in here doing work!
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:52 PM on July 11, 2018 [10 favorites]


Two tired looking teams go to extra time. Here’s a live feed of Didier Deschamps’ face.
posted by Kattullus at 12:53 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


encoulez!
posted by lalochezia at 12:54 PM on July 11, 2018


Youtubetv working normally again. They could have chosen a better time to be all hinky.
posted by ardgedee at 12:55 PM on July 11, 2018


Come on, England!
posted by gemmy at 12:56 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Another small lesson in the relativity of space-time (not really).

A few years ago it looked like a wave - first people on aerials and basic cable, then people on an operator with faster boxes, then finally people on an operator that was known to be sometimes 2 minutes behind in their STBs.
posted by lmfsilva at 12:57 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


so what happens now?
They all have another go?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 12:57 PM on July 11, 2018


Croatia hasnt used any subs????
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:57 PM on July 11, 2018


* excuse me, fouls, not yellows.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:59 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I stepped away to do some *gasp* work, and I see I'm back in time for the start of extra time. I'll check back in a half-hour when it's time for penalties.
posted by paisley sheep at 1:00 PM on July 11, 2018


Rebic finally gets a yellow.
posted by ardgedee at 1:02 PM on July 11, 2018


Tweet by Supriya Nair: “it may seem like england has the upper hand over croatia, who are going into their third-consecutive 120-minute game, but think about it: is it really that easy to play against what are now eleven undead spirits?”
posted by Kattullus at 1:03 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Yeah, high time.
posted by languagehat at 1:03 PM on July 11, 2018


> so what happens now?

Well in a little less than half an hour, they'll break out the giant Q-tips
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 1:03 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


so what happens now?
They all have another go?

Google says:
A penalty shootout is used when teams remain tied after 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes (two 15-minute halves) of overtime. There is no sudden-death in soccer. The entire 30 minutes of extra time is played regardless. If there is no winner after 120 minutes, then each team gets five penalty kicks.
posted by pracowity at 1:04 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Flash of actual offense from England
posted by fleacircus at 1:05 PM on July 11, 2018


Oh so close!!
posted by languagehat at 1:05 PM on July 11, 2018


wow that was close
posted by dhruva at 1:05 PM on July 11, 2018


WHAT a fucking save
posted by poffin boffin at 1:05 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


what a head-save!
posted by progosk at 1:06 PM on July 11, 2018


Left Post makes another appearance.
posted by Liesl at 1:06 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


outrageous foul by england at the top of the box . . . not called
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:07 PM on July 11, 2018


That foul was a bit of a stretch. Seemed a bit like forced contact.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:07 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I mean, the one that was called.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:08 PM on July 11, 2018


who will get the golden boot, left post or own goal
posted by poffin boffin at 1:09 PM on July 11, 2018 [7 favorites]


versaliko got two boots to the defender AND won the foul...
posted by progosk at 1:10 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


i support whoever the guy was who just lay flat on his face in the middle of the pitch for no demonstrable reason
posted by poffin boffin at 1:11 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


wow modric really going for it on that . . . whiffffff
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:13 PM on July 11, 2018


loving pickford standing over and shouting at the guy he just demolished

i cant believe this will be over for four years in three days :(
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


third flub by tired Modric...
posted by progosk at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2018


i cant believe this will be over for four years in three days :(

yes but the wwc
posted by poffin boffin at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


The overtime let me see the end of this match. Kattallus is a good friend.
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:15 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Fouls aren't called but non-fouls are.
posted by fleacircus at 1:15 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Pickford with the save + kick to the groin combo. Mandzukic's knee might be a goner.
And that was a clear foul on Alli.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:15 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


We love you Jordan , we do!
We love you Jordan, we do

Etc etc etc
posted by HandfulOfDust at 1:15 PM on July 11, 2018


i will watch THE FUCK out of the womens world cup next summer and probably even feel some feelings of genuine patriotism while i do . . . but the level of competition is not equatable (and i dont mean the players skill or athleticism, i mean specifically the international parity - its unexciting the same way my warriors nba is)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


You mean for two years.

#whydoesJogiLöwstillhaveajob
posted by Seeba at 1:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


i cant believe this will be over for four years in three days :(

The Women's World Cup will be next summer in France! Finally a tournament where we can support the US!
posted by Liesl at 1:17 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


(giffable Trippier thigh massage.)
posted by progosk at 1:18 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I’ll never understand the logic behind allowing goalkeepers leeway to foul opposition players so blatantly when challenging for balls. See also Neuer’s foul on Higuaín in the 2014 final.
posted by Kattullus at 1:19 PM on July 11, 2018


whew
posted by languagehat at 1:20 PM on July 11, 2018


(which brings to mind: is world cup fanfic a thing?)
posted by progosk at 1:20 PM on July 11, 2018


OHH
posted by poffin boffin at 1:21 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


uh-oh
posted by languagehat at 1:21 PM on July 11, 2018


god they've knocked photogs unconscious with their excitement
posted by poffin boffin at 1:21 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


VATRENI! Mandzukic, from close-in. England defense caught flat-footed.

Vardy coming in for England.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 1:22 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


WOW
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:22 PM on July 11, 2018


That's why no game is over till it's over.
posted by ersatz at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Holy wow.
posted by gemmy at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2018


Well well
posted by knapah at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2018


This World Cup is amazing
posted by motdiem2 at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


England got distracted twice on defense, and at this level, this is what happens.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Aw beans.
posted by ardgedee at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Croatia is leading England in shots, on-targets, possession, pass accuracy, and yellow cards.


and scoring
posted by sammyo at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


The Graun only updated on the SPOILERY THING a full ninety seconds after an office coworker's phone went PING and the coworker went OH SHIT.
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Wow. Watch the replay. You can see #17 (Mandzukic) with his head down in exhaustion for a split second. He then looks up, ball incoming, and he’s a hero. In just seconds.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


Mandzukic looked like he couldn't believe it himself, wow
posted by karayel at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


England's coming home?
posted by clawsoon at 1:24 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


Nogomet dolazi kući
posted by Wordshore at 1:25 PM on July 11, 2018


(giffable Trippier thigh massage.)

Twitter has already got you there.
posted by karayel at 1:26 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


For GOD's grrmph, will you frunk the grrrzzz, you barkrffgh
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 1:26 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


All the players are toast
posted by motdiem2 at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2018


clawsoon: England's coming home?

If they don’t score a goal then they’ll play in the third-place playoff against Belgium. The bronze match between two deeply disappointed sets of players is one of the strangest spectacles in world sport, but invariably very entertaining.
posted by Kattullus at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2018 [8 favorites]


Nothing in the world is slower than the walk off the field of a player on the winning team.
posted by fleacircus at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Trippier looks injured
posted by motdiem2 at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2018


heh, didn’t help much, Trippier’s off
posted by progosk at 1:29 PM on July 11, 2018


I thought I'd be watching penalties by now but instead I'm cackling that Croatia has one-upped it.
posted by paisley sheep at 1:29 PM on July 11, 2018


Think we'll have the 3rd place playoff in this thread, yeh?
posted by the man of twists and turns at 1:29 PM on July 11, 2018


This was a corner. Referee having a complete shocker with these plays today. 4th or 5th today?
posted by lmfsilva at 1:31 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


the man of twists and turns: Think we'll have the 3rd place playoff in this thread, yeh?

Yeah, it makes sense to wait for the final with the new thread. No one will go specifically looking for a third-place playoff thread. Anybody who’s interested is already here.
posted by Kattullus at 1:32 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Agreed
posted by motdiem2 at 1:33 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


4 more mins...
posted by progosk at 1:33 PM on July 11, 2018


FOUR MINUTES
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:33 PM on July 11, 2018


Some hockey just broke out!
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:34 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Free kick for England!
posted by motdiem2 at 1:36 PM on July 11, 2018


god imagine they get this kick.
posted by poffin boffin at 1:36 PM on July 11, 2018


There was an extremely telling statistic shown a few minutes ago. Croatia have had 7 shots on target, England have had 1.

England have been pretty rubbish all of the second half and through extra time. Croatia are deservedly ahead.
posted by knapah at 1:36 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


now or never for england
posted by dhruva at 1:36 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


And it’s over.
posted by languagehat at 1:37 PM on July 11, 2018


This is never going in
posted by fleacircus at 1:37 PM on July 11, 2018


Aaand thats the emd of that!
posted by Faintdreams at 1:38 PM on July 11, 2018


Congratulations, Croatia 🇭🇷
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:38 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


i like how win or lose all anyone wants to do right now is just lie the fuck down
posted by poffin boffin at 1:38 PM on July 11, 2018 [8 favorites]


Good run, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:38 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Huh. I'm more surprised than anyone that my own prediction came true.
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Well, damn. I wanted an English Channel final. I was even starting to plan a brunch menu.
posted by dnash at 1:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


can’t say Croatia’s really at all lovable (especially for their fascist ultra and hyper corrupt league), but that was spirited and deserved.
posted by progosk at 1:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


Croatia 2 - 1 England at the end of extra time.

Three straight 120+ minute matches of football and Croatia goes to the WC finals for the first time in history.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 1:39 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


Easy to support the French now
posted by Rumple at 1:41 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


I’m not happy with the outcome but I’d rather it have been decided like this than by penalty kicks.
posted by ardgedee at 1:41 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Now I want to root for Croatia because they've been such troopers but my heart is with Mbappe.
posted by paisley sheep at 1:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Three straight 120+ minute matches of football and Croatia goes to the WC finals for the first time in history.

yeah I feel just a tiny bit sad for England but Croatia fucking earned this
posted by karayel at 1:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


@AdamSerwer: England Brexits the World Cup
posted by Wordshore at 1:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Well done Croatia! Well deserved ,

Gutted, but also massively proud. Go England!
posted by HandfulOfDust at 1:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


has france ever invaded croatia, i have no stupid historical jokes for this final
posted by poffin boffin at 1:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


Croatia consistently overperformed and deserve congratulations.

England are going home and although a France - England final would have been more attractive... England won one game against tough opposition (Colombia), had an easy quarterfinal and when Croatia scored, they collapsed.

See you all at the final!
posted by ersatz at 1:43 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


England won one game against tough opposition (Colombia)

YES thus adding further proof to my theory that no one who makes James Rodriguez cry will win the World Cup.
posted by poffin boffin at 1:44 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


So... any pictures of John Terry crying yet?
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:44 PM on July 11, 2018


What a human moment, the England fans are cheering and saluting the English team and the players just look like they want the ground to swallow them up. This England team should be able to tilt at the European championship in two years time.
posted by Kattullus at 1:44 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Croatia have had 7 shots on target, England have had 1.

To my not-very-knowledgable eyes it seemed like England's offensive plan seems to have been just a bunch of hail Mary long balls. These weren't working well especially because the ref wasn't calling the fouls which seems to be what you really hope to get out of them. The few times England tried to work forward and build something they did better, but they just kept not doing that. Their defense got softer and softer as the game went on and Croatia's offense who couldn't complete a pass in the first half wound up in control getting almost everything they wanted by the end.
posted by fleacircus at 1:45 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


the Brexit jokes are all terrible but I'm still laughing

(I lived in England for three years, so you'd think I have more sympathy, but I lived in Scotland for a year before that, where the cardinal rule of allegiance that you root for whoever is playing England was firmly impressed upon me.)
posted by karayel at 1:45 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


has france ever invaded croatia, i have no stupid historical jokes for this final

all players shall wear neckties

This England team should be able to tilt at the European championship in two years time.

one of the themes in the pre-match coverage was how young the English team is - a couple of years, some more caps, and I'm pretty sure they'll be ferocious.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 1:47 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


the last thing i saw before the camera pulled away was an unknown croatian player suplexing the coach and a barefoot infant menacing another cameraman
posted by poffin boffin at 1:50 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


The English play I saw seemed... inert? Slow to press and slow to respond.
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:58 PM on July 11, 2018


has france ever invaded croatia, i have no stupid historical jokes for this final
Croatia was (briefly) part of a group of French provinces. Wikipedia claims that it wasn't that bad.
posted by elgilito at 2:04 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


A reference to Auguste de Marmont, duc de Raguse wouldn't come amiss.
posted by languagehat at 2:08 PM on July 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


GenjiandProust: The English play I saw seemed... inert? Slow to press and slow to respond.

For the hour that I saw they just seemed really tired, which surprised me. I wonder if the training was too intense.
posted by Kattullus at 2:09 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Now that the world cup is over does anyone fancy a retrospective of the world's best football film, 'Escape to Victory'? Perhaps over the weekend?
posted by biffa at 2:16 PM on July 11, 2018


Croatia played so hard all tournament, I'm glad they made it to the final. That said, there's something especially crushing about when young teams lose. If a player is 23ish (or younger!) and already playing at the highest level, they're just not used to losing big games and it shows on their faces.

I'm happy with Pickford for breaking up the fight toward the end of the game. You have no idea how many times I've screamed for a player to do that this tournament, and been shocked when no one even tried to de-escalate a hissy.
posted by grandiloquiet at 2:16 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


Well, the best two teams from Euro 2016 outperformed everyone and will play in the final.

I don't think France will try to make anything out of Croatia having almost one extra game in their legs by now. Two years ago apparently Deschamps expected Portugal to be too knackered to play the same attrition game, and it was France who ended up losing (ironically because Lloris was knackered and couldn't react in time to a fairly harmless long shot).

To my not-very-knowledgable eyes it seemed like England's offensive plan seems to have been just a bunch of hail Mary long balls. These weren't working well especially because the ref wasn't calling the fouls which seems to be what you really hope to get out of them. The few times England tried to work forward and build something they did better, but they just kept not doing that.
If there's one thing I didn't find particularly brilliant with England was that Kane playing too far from goal, almost like a false 9. I think the strategy was getting the central defenders out of position and then have Sterling, Young or Alli behind them, but it wasn't working because everyone looked sluggish on the ball. Trippier can deliver on crosses, but other than a last-stretch clearance, Kane often looked too far away to make a difference.

As for the future, build from this, like Germany started building the 2014 team from an overachieving 3rd place team in 2006. Their team is young - with only a handful of exceptions, most of this squad will be on Qatar, and even around half of the squad should be veterans into the NAFTA World Cup. Plus, their youth ranks are finally doing well, so if the FA manages to tell the S*ns and the Daily Mails to sod off and leave the team alone even when things don't go well, this generation of Kane, Rashford, Alli, Sterling, Dier, Pickford etc might actually win something. They have two World Cups and two European Championships ahead of them.
posted by lmfsilva at 2:32 PM on July 11, 2018 [6 favorites]


Croatia's fitness levels are fucking unreal.
posted by Errant at 2:42 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Croatia's fitness levels are fucking unreal.

Hahahaha right?? One of the best things about not having the United States in the tournament (can't get into a patriotic mood these days) is getting to skip the obligatory punditry about how fit they are. But build-wise, the US always gets shaped into looking like a peppy college team (any sport, but def attend frat parties on weekends). They look healthy. Croatia looks like a pack of dedicated marathon-runners: emaciated, dead-eyed, and very determined. I just Googled "Luka Modric suit" because I was curious about what he looked like when he wasn't on the verge of death. (Healthier! But just a little!)
posted by grandiloquiet at 2:57 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


Speaking of being glad some teams didn't make it in...I can't believe I'm saying this, and it feels terrible disloyal, but I think Italy's absence is one reason why this World Cup was so good. How many stilted, 1-0 games did we get to skip?
posted by grandiloquiet at 2:57 PM on July 11, 2018 [4 favorites]


barefoot infant menacing another cameraman

Huh. I guess Boris Johnson wasted no time getting to Russia!
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:21 PM on July 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


I just Googled "Luka Modric suit" because I was curious about what he looked like when he wasn't on the verge of death. (Healthier! But just a little!)

I'm pretty sure Modric is a Johan Cruyff clone ordered by the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in the mid 70s. In fact, Boban started the civil war because he saw little goopy Modric coming out of his pod in the mid 80s, and knew what had to be done.
posted by lmfsilva at 3:23 PM on July 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Croatia's fitness levels are fucking unreal.

I was exhausted just watching them, at one point I had to ice my forearm bc of tense fist clenching. i deserve the golden boot tbh
posted by poffin boffin at 4:08 PM on July 11, 2018 [10 favorites]


Why This Has Been the Perfect World Cup for Americans - "But a World Cup without America in it has made space for a broader and more complicated kind of patriotism—one that can root for other nations without being diminished, and critique our own with tempered, thoughtful pride. Escaping into the month-long soccer party on the other side of the world has been a dose of sorely needed perspective: the world will go on playing, whether or not Americans figure their shit out. I might as well cheer the players on."
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:13 PM on July 11, 2018 [5 favorites]


England really need to develop better central midfielders. Ones who might be good enough to play for Spain, for example. Jordan Henderson is the latest in a sequence of players — James Milner, Gareth Barry — who end up winning 50 caps for England without ever feeling like more than a stop-gap until something better comes along. Which it doesn't.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:00 AM on July 12, 2018 [1 favorite]


I don’t know if your local media picked up on this, but the Finnish commentators talked about a weird incident after Croatia’s second goal when England started the game while the Croatian players where still off the field celebrating. It wasn’t shown on television, but here’s a video from the stands. It’s such an odd moment, genuinely something I can’t recall seeing before.
posted by Kattullus at 12:07 AM on July 12, 2018 [2 favorites]


Yeah, all of the Croatian team appear to leave the field by the looks of it.
Which I believe means that England should have been allowed to carry on with the kick-off.

Ref probabbly thought "I'm not touching that shitshow with a ten-foot pole" and blew the whistle to call them back.
posted by fullerine at 12:59 AM on July 12, 2018 [2 favorites]


If that’s true, then the referee really saved the England team from themselves. That would have been World Cup villainy to end all World Cup villainy. I mean, I understand how desperation would lead people to try something like that, but world opinion would have been extremely unforgiving.
posted by Kattullus at 2:28 AM on July 12, 2018 [3 favorites]


Did the ref even signal that England could kick-off ?
posted by Pendragon at 3:35 AM on July 12, 2018


England really need to develop better central midfielders.

Easier said than done. Worth pointing out that Milner and Henderson were both first choice players for the Champion's League final this year, so they are not entirely pants.
posted by biffa at 3:42 AM on July 12, 2018 [2 favorites]


I think the problem for England is that they have a good defense, a good offense, but no one linking the two in a fluid manner. Oxlade-Chamberlain might have been able to do that, but he was injured, and I understand why Southgate opted against taking Jack Wilshire or Jonjo Shelvey (for very different reasons) but it was a calculated risk which backfired. That said, they were incredibly close to getting to a World Cup final, so “backfire” isn’t the right word.
posted by Kattullus at 6:11 AM on July 12, 2018


England need to learn to finish. Sterling, kane, rashford, lingard all made amazing fluid moves at some point, dancing past defenders, making amazing space, being tacically smart, and yet they couldn't deliver the coup-de-grace.

also, while super accurate, their passes to "onrushing" players were all a little too fast....
posted by lalochezia at 6:32 AM on July 12, 2018


England had Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes, with four Champions Leagues, two Europa Leagues and 14 Premier League titles combined, and accomplished even less than this team. Deco, Rui Costa and Figo also won nothing with Portugal, but William Carvalho, Nani and Adrien did.

They could use a De Bruyne or a Eriksen to make those pin-point passes that fall perfectly right in front of the forwards, but those players are rare and almost luxuries. If your plan depends so heavily on world class players, you get Spain's results tiki-takaing without Xavi.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:39 AM on July 12, 2018 [1 favorite]


I really like Oxlade-Chamberlain, and think he’s a very good player, but he’s not in Xavi’s league, nor indeed in Gerrard’s. However, he’s good at taking the ball up the field from deep. Usually by running, but that’s one method of doing it. Someone like Wilshere is better at forward passes that Henderson, but he’s still a normally good player.

The problem England had in the knockout rounds was getting their front four consistently on the ball. It’s not an insurmountable problem requiring a world-class player, just someone to link defense and attack.

But still, England did incredibly well. Southgate made some brave tactical decisions that paid off handsomely. That 3-3-2-2 system got the best out of the squad at his disposal. It would be innovative at any level, to use it during a World Cup takes bravery and foresight.
posted by Kattullus at 7:02 AM on July 12, 2018 [3 favorites]


The problem England had in the knockout rounds was getting their front four consistently on the ball. It’s not an insurmountable problem requiring a world-class player, just someone to link defense and attack.

There were a few times most of the front 4 was all packed in the middle of the defenders without any depth or width, so as soon as the ball carrier lost the ball trying to dribble because that was the only available move, Croatia could easily advance upfield on the counter.
Maybe they could have found better ways to integrate Trippier and Young/Rose in the attack to give them more options instead of mostly just coming up when they're laying the siege, but I mean, England might have been two incredible back-to-back save by Subasic to Kane shots and a goal-line clearance from advancing. These are games decided by small details, and if there's anything to learn from this is that Southgate is on to something.
posted by lmfsilva at 7:51 AM on July 12, 2018 [3 favorites]


I've seen here and elsewhere comments about how hard it is to root for Croatia for various reasons and I just want to say:

Yes, the current Croatian government might be terrible. The previous Croatian government may have been terrible. The Croatian ultras may be terrible. But there are millions upon millions of ordinary Croatians (like the firefighters in the video I posted yesterday) who are definitely not terrible. And this is an incredible national moment for them. And they fucking deserve it.

Go Croatia!
posted by 256 at 8:13 AM on July 12, 2018 [7 favorites]


Sam Knight has an excellent piece called The Tragicomic Opera of Croatia’s Mario Mandžukić:
Mandžukić, in fairness, is the kind of forward who is easy to miss. The game naturally celebrates players who like the ball at their feet, who set rhythms, weave passes, and waltz past opponents. But there are other footballers, who are masters of space—with what is not there—and who are more than equally effective. Mandžukić is one of those. You don’t tend to hear his name much in commentary, until it’s “Mandžukić!” And he’s there, six yards out, hammering the ball toward the goal, normally with a single touch. In April, I watched Mandžukić snaffle two first-half goals, both instinctive headers, in a 3–1 victory for Juventus over Real Madrid in the Champions League. He was the man of the match, and you weren’t even sure he was there.
posted by languagehat at 9:11 AM on July 13, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ivan Sršen's World Cup 2018: Croatia’s Conflict Resolution is also excellent:
Many years later, I sat on our sofa in Zagreb with my son, now the same age as I was back in 1990, to watch Croatia play Argentina in our second match in the World Cup in Russia. Twenty-eight years have passed since the summer that’s stuck in my mind, ever after, as the end of my innocence and my country’s. But suddenly, I was taking part in a remake of that long-gone experience, made up of familiar actors: Maradona was there, in the VIP section of the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, an eleven-year-old boy was sitting next to me, and I was watching the screen in disbelief: “How on earth is Croatia going to pull this off?”
posted by languagehat at 1:37 PM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]


For people (like me) who enjoy a good savaging, here is the Guardian's take on Fox's terrible World Cup broadcast.
posted by grandiloquiet at 3:18 PM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]


the following year hired David Neal, a veteran producer who worked on nine Olympic Games for NBC, to oversee its coverage.
*making Inception squint eyes* Yeeeah, that is a great idea to begin with, considering when I said back in 2008 the EBU-UER had live, raw streams of all events, I unwittingly convinced a couple of people to get an Euro VPN.

Fox has over-hyped simplistic personal narratives (the stale Messi v Ronaldo rivalry, the LeBronification of Neymar)
They're not the only ones. During the group stage, even here I saw one of the jackasses that speaks on television saying he dreams of a Ronaldo - Messi final. Not Portugal against Argentina, it sounded deliberately phrased. And this by the second game, where it was getting clear both teams were very far from their best. For all the "we are all going to miss them when they retire", I won't miss a team sport being turned into an anime where it's star vs star and the rest of the team are just background.

That summer, the Yugoslav team was beaten by Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Italy, and Argentina was, in turn, beaten in the finals by the fearsome German team led by Rudi Völler, Jürgen Klinsmann, and Lothar Matthäus.

Oh, man, the 1990 team. I remember an article written in one of those end of the year review thingies, where they had Yugoslavia as the most likely to be the most dominant European team in the nineties (little they knew what was about to happen), based on the absolute talent of that team, as well as the emerging talent of players that had won the 1987 Youth FIFA World Cup like Boban, Jarni, Prosinecki, Suker and Mijatovic. Combined with others that appeared along the way (some because they stayed with their club teams in 1987), like Mihajlovic, Drulovic, Zahovic, Stankovic, Jugovic, Milosevic, etc, bloody hell, that would be easily one of the better, deeper teams in Europe. As this article points out, in 1998, when the 1987 generation would be peaking, they had the 3rd and 10th best teams in the competition. I think it's the only case where the "could play two teams in the World Cup and do pretty well with both" exercise was actually put in practice.
posted by lmfsilva at 3:42 PM on July 13, 2018 [3 favorites]


Nice piece on the Senegalese team and an unequal global sports industry.
posted by Rumple at 7:50 PM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]


There’s a weird atmosphere at the game today. It’s clear that many of the English and Belgian stuck around for the third place playoff, but it’s equally clear that most spectators are neutral. It makes for an odd mix.

Oh hey goal! The bronze medal match never disappoints, does it?
posted by Kattullus at 7:04 AM on July 14, 2018


Is anybody watching the game down here? So far it’s been a pretty ripping event.
posted by ardgedee at 7:12 AM on July 14, 2018


I've been assuming you guys want to do this game in here, and then a separate thread for the final?
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:15 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


So far Mustard has a clear advantage over Ketchup.
posted by ardgedee at 7:16 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


It’s awkward to change threads mid-game, it might be easier to just stay where we are now.
posted by ardgedee at 7:16 AM on July 14, 2018


Belgium are showing why they damn near won over France. De Breuyne is proving himself a terrific organizer. Sterling is fast and then ...
posted by From Bklyn at 7:17 AM on July 14, 2018


I started watching, but need to take care of one thing and should be back by the second half.
posted by lmfsilva at 7:17 AM on July 14, 2018


LobsterMitten: I've been assuming you guys want to do this game in here, and then a separate thread for the final?

Yeah, I think there was a clear preference with waiting until the final for a new thread.
posted by Kattullus at 7:18 AM on July 14, 2018


England could have two goals if they weren’t prone to aiming shots directly at the goalie.
posted by ardgedee at 7:21 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


The Fox announcers are only talking when they recognize the players. Which is leading to a lot of dead air since Belgium has had a lot of the ball so far, and complete plays are being ignored.

Seriously why can’t they be using any of the competent announcers they were using during round 1? These guys are so awful.
posted by ardgedee at 7:24 AM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


The Fox commentators seem to be of the mind that England Should Win because they are England And isn’t that, you know, their game, like? Same in the Croatia game - Croatia ... win?
posted by From Bklyn at 7:24 AM on July 14, 2018


Not many English in the stands this game, judging by the lack of brass bands and nonstop singing of the same verse nonstop.
posted by ardgedee at 7:29 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


Overall Belgium are taking this game more seriously than England. England are trying but lacks the sense of fighting for their lives.
posted by ardgedee at 7:32 AM on July 14, 2018


Ketchup are very smooth but lack that spicy kick that is powering mustard to the front time and again
posted by From Bklyn at 7:34 AM on July 14, 2018


Oh, poor Chadli.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:37 AM on July 14, 2018


I just remembered the game! Did anything happen?... Oh.
posted by languagehat at 7:39 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


I'm only here for the bon mots
posted by Rumple at 7:41 AM on July 14, 2018


If using "bon mots" in an English sentence, should one say "bons mots"?
posted by Rumple at 7:44 AM on July 14, 2018


No.
posted by languagehat at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


Pitheries?
posted by From Bklyn at 7:46 AM on July 14, 2018


The one question I can answer with confidence in a footie thread!
posted by languagehat at 7:47 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


Excuse me I believe you meant to say bonnes moutes.
posted by ardgedee at 7:48 AM on July 14, 2018


Pronounced “bones motes” obvs.
posted by ardgedee at 7:52 AM on July 14, 2018


Or you can go the Beecham route and say bommets.
posted by languagehat at 7:57 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


How about moules frites?
posted by Rumple at 7:59 AM on July 14, 2018


Moules frites or fish and chips?
posted by needled at 8:02 AM on July 14, 2018


Fishes and chips, surely.


What's a sea monster's favourite dinner?

Fish and Ships

posted by Rumple at 8:06 AM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


Hazard is looking mighty impressive.
posted by languagehat at 8:08 AM on July 14, 2018


Nothing hap...
sorry
posted by From Bklyn at 8:11 AM on July 14, 2018


The Fox announcers are only talking when they recognize the players.

I watched one of the England games in Italy and one of the Italian commentators dumped his entire knowledge of a goal scorer with "HARRY KANE! TOTTENHAM! WALTHAMSTOW! VICTORIA LINE! SEVEN SISTERS!"
posted by biffa at 8:12 AM on July 14, 2018 [4 favorites]


Oh what a nice pass!
posted by languagehat at 8:15 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


Lukaku off — too bad.
posted by languagehat at 8:18 AM on July 14, 2018


At times it seems like Belgium are playing down to England’s game.
posted by From Bklyn at 8:19 AM on July 14, 2018


I think Belgium’s tiring itself out prematurely.
posted by ardgedee at 8:20 AM on July 14, 2018


oh my god this game started at 10 i am a failure
posted by poffin boffin at 8:28 AM on July 14, 2018


I’m glad I’m not the only one.
posted by languagehat at 8:30 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


that save!!
posted by dame at 8:30 AM on July 14, 2018


Haha yeah I was expecting it to start later...but I woke in time to catch that incredible save, so I'm happy.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:31 AM on July 14, 2018


WOWWOw - Alderweiweld (sp)!will never have to buy ever again ...
Ketchup have found some extra quality to overwhelm mustards now (Lukaku-less) somewhat blander quality
posted by From Bklyn at 8:32 AM on July 14, 2018


Wow! That should do it.
posted by languagehat at 8:40 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


oh a goal
posted by poffin boffin at 8:41 AM on July 14, 2018


Like I said, Hazard is impressive.
posted by languagehat at 8:41 AM on July 14, 2018


*sigh*
posted by HandfulOfDust at 8:41 AM on July 14, 2018


Mustard with the mustard
posted by From Bklyn at 8:41 AM on July 14, 2018


Yeah, that puts a lid on it. A shame after England had started tightening up and playing very well. Their shooting was so very unlucky though.
posted by ardgedee at 8:42 AM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


Belgium have really been doing their best to make this an entertaining match, and they've taken part in three of the best games of the tournament. I hope they have a good Euros in two years' time as a reward for their enterprising play. A World Cup bronze medal isn't nothing, mind you.
posted by Kattullus at 8:43 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


I love watching England lose.
posted by dame at 8:43 AM on July 14, 2018


I didn’t have a dog in this fight, but the Fox announcers are rooting for England so shamelessly I’m glad Belgium is defying them.
posted by languagehat at 8:44 AM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


I mean...not to be all Ricky Bobby about this, but 3rd place kind of is nothing. I agree that they've been fantastically entertaining, though. I hope they're a team that builds instead of self-destructing.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:45 AM on July 14, 2018


Belgium seems to have decided to faff about in the midfield for the remaining few minutes.
posted by ardgedee at 8:47 AM on July 14, 2018


Eduardo Biscayart, today's Telemundo play-by-play person, declared this "un lindo partido."

I love how players all end up with one-word names: "Harrykane", "Jesselingar".
posted by needled at 8:50 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


Yeah you can't tell me the particular hurricane-y cadence of "HariKane" on Telemundo is an accident, I love it.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:52 AM on July 14, 2018 [2 favorites]


I wouldn’t call it particularly lindo, but it had its moments. See you in the new thread tomorrow!
posted by languagehat at 8:52 AM on July 14, 2018


Now the game is over, the announcers are discussing how England could have won rather than how Belgium had won. Fox is so awful.
posted by ardgedee at 8:54 AM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


I thought this game was later like the semis. Oh well.
posted by ersatz at 9:14 AM on July 14, 2018


Speaking of the horrible Fox coverage.... While it doesn't cover today's crappy broadcast, the Guardian weighs in:
The Stone-Lalas dumbumvirate sums up Fox's botched World Cup coverage

If the results hold, Kane will be an incredibly unimpressive Golden Boot winner. He's been invisible the last few games.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 9:33 AM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


Fell asleep and only woke up with the Alderweireld clearance and Hazards goal. Oh well.
posted by lmfsilva at 9:41 AM on July 14, 2018


If we wanted to come third we should have kept Allardyce.
posted by biffa at 11:27 AM on July 14, 2018


Well, geez. During my holidays, I had brief times of internet access, and on Wednesday while out for lunch I was able to follow a bit of the game. I left somewhere shortly after halftime, convinced we were going to have a France-England final...only to return home today and learn that England has lost the 3rd place game.

So...see you all tomorrow I guess. One last game.
posted by nubs at 4:26 PM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


I Have No Idea How to Feel About Croatia- "How do you root against a small nation trying to win its first World Cup? How can you support players and fans who have behaved in ways that are morally repugnant?"

Couch-Throwing, Corruption and a World Cup Carnival That Divides Croatia
posted by the man of twists and turns at 5:01 PM on July 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


Jonathan Wilson wrote an article on the same subject: Luka Modric's Croatia Success Story Comes With Complications.

Speaking of Jonathan Wilson, he makes an appearance on last night’s Guardian World Cup Daily, which was an especially good episode featuring Marcela Mora y Araujo, Paul Doyle and Eliot Rothwell, who brought the perspective of an informed outsider on Russia. The discussion on “Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home)” was the most intelligent treatment of the subject that I’ve heard.
posted by Kattullus at 10:47 PM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


Ok, I've put up the new thread for the World Cup Final, so it'll be ready when it's time to go.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:31 PM on July 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


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