2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA

Buck32 · Star Player Joined: 30 Apr 2001 Posts: 7329

Looking forward to a Belgium - Croatia final. The battle at midfiled shoud be epic between Modric/Rakitic vs. Hazard/de Bruyne. The Belgian defense however is the best of the tournament so that can be decisive.
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panamaniac · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:16 pm Post subject:

Rooting for England out of the teams left. I really like Harry Kane, he is the true English star that Rooney never was.

lakersken80 · Retired Number Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38792

Russia the team that won't die....2-2 in extra time.

Mockerfab4 · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:54 pm Post subject:

Bye Russia! What a match.

I got England in the next match.
Belgium V France is going to be good. Two really strong teams. I give France a slight edge.
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lakersken80 · Retired Number Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38792

Croatia survives in PK's 4-3. Hell of a fight by the host nation even though they were offensively challenged compared to the teams they played during these 2 games.

SGV-Laker fan · Star Player Joined: 23 May 2013 Posts: 8883

All euro WC final 4

Moses · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:43 pm Post subject:

I still don’t buy Croatia. They’ve struggled to beat poor Russia and Denmark teams, outside of one win against the wort Argentina side in memory, they haven’t looked impressive. Size wise, they’re going to struggle against England with set pieces, same as everyone else so far. I trust our defence against their strikers more than I’d have faith in theirs against Kane.

France v Belgium should be interesting, I’m going with France, as I did pick them to win it all from the start, thought they had the most complete team and the most depth.
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Aeneas Hunter · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763

It's going to be tough for Croatia. All else equal, I would favor them over England. But they just went to PKs twice in a row in a compressed schedule, and they were getting pretty banged up against Russia. Croatia is a little county, and it has minimal depth. It's hard to imagine them having enough gas left in the tank to handle England.

France is the safer pick, but Belgium may have the Team of Destiny thing going for it.

I'll call it 3-1 France over England in the Final.

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:04 am Post subject:

I'm going to call Belgium over France, as they have the experience, and I get the sense that it might be their time.

Speaking of "their time", England over Croatia. This England side feels different. I agree that Croatia has not looked particularly impressive. England's goalkeeper, Pickford, also might be the best they've had at a World Cup in my lifetime.

ExPatLkrFan · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 3:12 am Post subject:

At this point the team's I liked are out (Uruguay and Mexico) I'm just left with Schadenfreude. Which teams followers will be the biggest tools if they win? That's easy England! So I'm pulling for England to lose in the Final match against France just to make it worse by an own goal in extra time. Gotta have something to root for but probably won't stay up for the game starting at 100 am.

cathy78 · Star Player Joined: 21 Jan 2013 Posts: 1416

I guess Belgium vs France is the real final.
I hope though that Croatia advances, England is just not enjoyable to watch.

Moses · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:24 am Post subject:

Lot of England haters in here

For a team that came in with low expectations, they've done a great job of making people mad so far...
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LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47581

I will pick France and England in the semifinals.
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danzag · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:55 am Post subject:

France and England, for sure.

I was rooting for Russia, though. Heartbreaker for Mario Fernandes, who scored the equalizer and then lost the penalty kick.

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:21 pm Post subject:

Gatekeeper · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:08 am Post subject:

Heartburn · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:35 am Post subject:

I had Uruguay, Belgium, Croatia and England in the semis, so I was 3-1. After watching the quarters, I see Belgium and England in the finals. France looks strong, but I think Belgium is doing something special this time around.
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danzag · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:54 am Post subject:

Aeneas Hunter · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763

danzag · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:59 pm Post subject:

At least here in Brazil we make fun of England because they're the so called inventors of the game and could only won 1 title, with serious help from the refs

All their teams are hyped by the english press before the world cup (remember that E-A-S-Y cover in 2014?), and all their teams under-achieve and play very bad and ugly football.

But I don't think anyone really hates them.
I really like Harry Kane and I rooting for England this time.

ChickenStu · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:29 pm Post subject:

Pidge · Starting Rotation Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 440

Wouldn't be half surprised to see Southgate start Dier and Henderson, two deeper midfielders against Rakitic and Modric makes sense.

The benefit for Croatia is that we will at least try and play football against them. They have a much more settled team and style of play than us, think it comes down to how much these ETs are weighing on their legs at this point.
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Wilt · LG Contributor Joined: 29 Dec 2002 Posts: 13731

It's official. Ronaldo is heading to Juventus.
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Gatekeeper · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:10 am Post subject:

Wilt · LG Contributor Joined: 29 Dec 2002 Posts: 13731

I'm guessing Neymar, even though I can't stand him. He's a lot more profitable in the long run. Hazard, while great, isn't really someone that will sell a lot of jerseys.

Madridistas are angry about the transfer fee being "only" 100 mill, but the amount of money the club saved on Ronaldo's salary is enormous. I think it's pretty decent for a 33 year old.

I'm sad. I loved Ronaldo, even though I'm also tired of his yearly drama during the offseason. He'll be missed in all kinds of ways. Hope he returns to the club in some capacity down the line.
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