The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[dmash]

What were you guys saying about portugal?!?!

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by dmash

What were you guys saying about portugal?!?!

It’s a game of two halves.

But it’s not looking good.

Bloody Ronaldo.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

It’s a game of two halves.

But it’s not looking good.

Bloody Ronaldo.

They don't even look that good! Portugal just seems to pull it out of the hat though......

EDIT: WTF HAHAHA 3-2!?

[dmash]

HE IS THE REAL DEAL THIS WC

A HAT TRICK GOAL TO TIE IT AT 88’?!?! He came to WIN IT this year

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Another typical example of how difficult it is to be a at home sitting couch "expert".

Where would the fun be in sitting on the fence?!

I’m not a fan of the man but the guy is a complete machine. Despite the fact he’s a poser he probably works harder than anybody at making himself the best player he can be and he always has done.

Portugal really aren’t very good.

But Bloody Ronaldo is ridiculous.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Where would the fun be in sitting on the fence?!

I’m not a fan of the man but the guy is a complete machine. Despite the fact he’s a poser he probably works harder than anybody at making himself the best player he can be and he always has done.

Portugal really aren’t very good.

But Bloody Ronaldo is ridiculous.

He better not get hurt again. I hope that continuous hanstring grabbing was his typical bullsh** and not something popping up. That would be a real shame, as this is his last WC.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by dmash

He better not get hurt again. I hope that continuous hanstring grabbing was his typical bullsh** and not something popping up. That would be a real shame, as this is his last WC.

I’ve seen him do that a lot over the years. I don’t know if it’s a tic, just a habitual thing he does.

Honestly though it wouldn’t surprise me to see him at the next World Cup. He’s already an old man in outfield terms but he’s said he wants to play til he’s 40. He might just be both fit and bloody minded enough to do it.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I’ve seen him do that a lot over the years. I don’t know if it’s a tic, just a habitual thing he does.

Honestly though it wouldn’t surprise me to see him at the next World Cup. He’s already an old man in outfield terms but he’s said he wants to play til he’s 40. He might just be both fit and bloody minded enough to do it.

If King Zlatan didn’t do it, I don’t see Ronaldo doing it

[City74]

Who was is that said Ronaldo wasn’t one of the best? Thus game prices why he is. He isn’t even really young anymore (in soccer years) and was still the best player on the field

[Wesley Crusher]

Great game. Ronaldo crushed it!

[Wools]

Looking forward to the World Cup, within 2 minutes Ronaldo takes a dive...

The most shameless player in history. Detest the guy. I’ll have to avoid watching any matches with him in to stop getting riled up! :)

[City74]

Originally Posted by Wools

Looking forward to the World Cup, within 2 minutes Ronaldo takes a dive...

The most shameless player in history. Detest the guy. I’ll have to avoid watching any matches with him in to stop getting riled up! :)

I hate diving but that wasn’t a dive. The guy kicked his ankle. Sure he went down fairly easy but it was a penalty. Btw, if you think he is shameless watch Luis Suarez

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Wools

Looking forward to the World Cup, within 2 minutes Ronaldo takes a dive...

The most shameless player in history. Detest the guy. I’ll have to avoid watching any matches with him in to stop getting riled up! :)

I'm guessing it's your severe bias that's calling it a dive. Even the video reviewers agrees it was a penalty.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

I'm guessing it's your severe bias that's calling it a dive. Even the video reviewers agrees it was a penalty.

Yup, agree. He may have went down harder than necessary, but it was only to exaggerate what was indeed a penalty, and ensure it got called. That's not 'flopping', that's just playing smart.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

I'm guessing it's your severe bias that's calling it a dive. Even the video reviewers agrees it was a penalty.

I also agree Ronaldo’s was a pen, albeit an “earned” one.

Watching the dodgy French pen decision though and I’m not sure I’d be taking the VAR reviewer’s opinions as Gospel. Never a pen!

[RobearH]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

I'm guessing it's your severe bias that's calling it a dive. Even the video reviewers agrees it was a penalty.

A reach in after a cross over in the box is a penalty...EOS!!!

P.S...most entertaining game so far by far!

[Oscarpapa]

Originally Posted by Wools

Looking forward to the World Cup, within 2 minutes Ronaldo takes a dive...

The most shameless player in history. Detest the guy. I’ll have to avoid watching any matches with him in to stop getting riled up! :)

Fabulous player but because of his playing acting and simulation(diving) will never be an all time great for me. For that penalty he saw the defender had planted his leg in front of him and decided to run at it and fall over it, he could have avoided it and stayed on his feet but took the easy way out. On the other hand, i don't think I have ever seen Messi simulate or go to the ground too easily, when he has been grounded it's because his legs have been chopped from under him and that is why Messi is the better player and man!

[Bruin Watch]

Great game... like him or not, Ronaldo has always been a tremendous talent and his paycheck proves it. He proved it again tonight. Yeah, that was definitely dive-esq early in the game, but Spain got one back on the other end later when scoring after an (arguable) no-call. So in my mind, it kind of evened out.

Hopefully we have more game like this throughout the WC. Looking forward to Argentina vs. Iceland tomorrow.

[77T]

This was a great match despite some curious calls/no calls.

Both teams were there to wow the crowd and do not disappoint.


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[AK797]

What a great game and fantastic goals! I've drawn Spain and France in the family sweepstake so was cheering on Spain and could not believe De Gea let that goal in, best keeper in the world by a mile for me. Spain were magnificent second half, midfield really took the piss out of the Portuguese, esp the superb Isco, but then that bloody ill-disciplined Pique couldn't leave an unthreatening Ronaldo alone - no sex for him, Shakira! and gave him a penalty/free kick I knew he would score, he had that crazed look in his eyes and dragged them to that result. That's just what we need to see from Messi, he better not wilt like De Gea.

[AK797]

Ronaldo earned that penalty, he did a nice step over that fooled the defender, Nacho, and they made contact, so was a penalty. Good skill needs to be rewarded and clumsy defence punished.

[GB-man]

What a great game. Hope it’s an omen of things to come.

[Wesley Crusher]

lmaooo this guy is a legend.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

lmaooo this guy is a legend.

[TheVTCGuy]

I admit to not knowing a lot about soccer, but the biggest turn off to me is watching these babies conducting Homeric-tragedy performances on the field. Embellishing an actual push, Ok, every player in sports does that, but the way these guys act is disgraceful. You’re representing your country in front of an international audience, play the sport with a little respect.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I admit to not knowing a lot about soccer, but the biggest turn off to me is watching these babies conducting Homeric-tragedy performances on the field. Embellishing an actual push, Ok, every player in sports does that, but the way these guys act is disgraceful. You’re representing your country in front of an international audience, play the sport with a little respect.

Unfortunately much like basketball it’s part of the game. Drawing fouls is rewarded handsomely. Until the rules change I don’t think the players will, as it’s a means to exploit a grey area and win games.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Unfortunately much like basketball it’s part of the game. Drawing fouls is rewarded handsomely. Until the rules change I don’t think the players will, as it’s a means to exploit a grey area and win games.

And a free kick is worth far more than a basketball free throw. If I had to give a Pointless Flopping award it would definitely go to the NBA

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

And a free kick is worth far more than a basketball free throw. If I had to give a Pointless Flopping award it would definitely go to the NBA

I generally agree but many basketball games come down to the wire. A play can certainly make or break the game, particularly in the final moments.

Are you back in the states now steve?

[Runnin' Rebel]

In NCAA and NBA Drawing a foul is not floppping, it’s making a smart play. As a matter of fact the rules have changed dramatically in the NBA. Flopping is flopping, literally. Like football, where they fall down and roll all over the place. It’s also can be unsportsmanlike conduct with an after game review. In the NBA consistently drawing offensive fouls on opponents takes good body control and a great deal of practice. It’s an art. Cause if you mess up, your out of the play and the offense takes more control.

Also the NBA added another rule to cut down on flopping near the basket, adding a 4-foot/ 1.22 meter dotted line area around the center of the basket, like (horseshoe shape on the floor) to prevent obvious flops. If you’re trying to cause a foul in that area, flops are charged as blocking fouls against the player causing action or no-calls inside that area.

The NBA regulated flopping starting in the 2012. Any player who flops during the regular season would first be warned, followed by fines in increments of $5,000 for each successive flop during the season. The fines would increase to $30,000 for a fifth offense, when a suspension would also be considered.

In the NBA playoffs, players are fined $5,000 for their first flopping offense, $10,000 for a second, $15,000 for a third, and $30,000 for a fourth. Any player who flops five or more times could be suspended. The most horrible flopping to me is after shooting a 3 point shot and falling claiming to having been touched and then getting to the foul ine to make it a 4 point shot. Has the rules slowed it down, perhaps. But it’s almost a auto replay look if the shooter falls now in that instance.

Flop away big boys

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

In NCAA and NBA Drawing a foul is not floppping, it’s making a smart play. As a matter of fact the rules have changed dramatically in the NBA. Flopping is flopping, literally. Like football, where they fall down and roll all over the place. It’s also can be unsportsmanlike conduct with an after game review. In the NBA consistently drawing offensive fouls on opponents takes good body control and a great deal of practice. It’s an art. Cause if you mess up, your out of the play and the offense takes more control.

Also the NBA added another rule to cut down on flopping near the basket, adding a 4-foot/ 1.22 meter dotted line area around the center of the basket, like (horseshoe shape on the floor) to prevent obvious flops. If you’re trying to cause a foul in that area, flops are charged as blocking fouls against the player causing action or no-calls inside that area.

The NBA regulated flopping starting in the 2012. Any player who flops during the regular season would first be warned, followed by fines in increments of $5,000 for each successive flop during the season. The fines would increase to $30,000 for a fifth offense, when a suspension would also be considered.

In the NBA playoffs, players are fined $5,000 for their first flopping offense, $10,000 for a second, $15,000 for a third, and $30,000 for a fourth. Any player who flops five or more times could be suspended. The most horrible flopping to me is after shooting a 3 point shot and falling claiming to having been touched and then getting to the foul ine to make it a 4 point shot. Has the rules slowed it down, perhaps. But it’s almost a auto replay look if the shooter falls now in that instance.

Flop away big boys

Does that make you a referee, bookmaker, gambler or just a basketball idiot savant mark?