The Beautiful Game thread, season 2015/16

[fsquid]

Sheffield Wednesday is now one game away from making the Premier League. This is huge since the team in 20th next season will make more in TV money than Leicester received this year from being top of the table.

[10spro]

Copa America coming in your neck of the woods in June. Check who's in the cover of the latest SI.

Some of the moves, speed are so signature Messi since he was 5.

(XXXIV, notice the difference between the Argentinian Spanish and the rest?)

[XXXIV]

There is a difference yes.

Same thing with the difference in the Portuguese spoken in Oporto and in Rio...Dont ask how I know that

Where out of country are you?

[10spro]

There is a difference yes.

Same thing with the difference in the Portuguese spoken in Oporto and in Rio...Dont ask how I know that

Where out of country are you?

Just stepping out of a Hong Kong sports bar following the Pens. How's that for a hockey fan eh? Will be back just in time for some Battlefront and Dragons game tomorrow. Don't ask me how, but I'll be there jet lag and all.

[10spro]

Hate PK's to decide any Championship finals but that was the case today. Ronaldo who was invisible pretty much the entire 120 minutes sealed the fifth kick. Ramos goal was offside too albeit ever so slightly to make things worse for Atletico. They never give you much and probably deserved better fate.

[10spro]

ManU got some power up front.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/transfer-talk ... o-a-target

[Rodster]

ManU got some power up front.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/transfer-talk ... o-a-target

ManU are like the NY Yankees. Love em or hate em, the sport is always more entertaining when they are in contention.

[XXXIV]

ManU got some power up front.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/transfer-talk ... o-a-target

ManU are like the NY Yankees. Love em or hate em, the sport is always more entertaining when they are in contention.

f*** them.

[10spro]

How the hell Skrtel left the game with just a yellow vs Wales is beyond me...

An offensive lineup for England even with Vardy on the bench. Their weakness is going to be on D, but they should still handle the Russians.

[XXXIV]

Those were pretty hostile anthems.

Europe a bit on edge?

[dougb]

England only manage a draw against a truly wretched Russia, actually both teams look wretched. Can't they find a better central midfielder than Rooney?

Doug

[XXXIV]

Disagree.

Russia was dominated.

Got a garbage goal to draw.

[10spro]

The British still don't have an identity. They should have won this one for sure after a so so first half and better ball control in the last half. During the interview to E. Dier instead of sounding totally pissed off after the late tie, he was saying 'Well, we didn't lose this game'...Hmm, no you didn't but it's a squad your team should have been able to beat.

Hodgson will need to adjust to that 4-1-2-3 formation.

Europe got to control these Hooligans. It's only day three and we see this crap. Pretty sad.

[Jimmydeicide]

England only manage a draw against a truly wretched Russia, actually both teams look wretched. Can't they find a better central midfielder than Rooney?

Doug

Yep , Jack Wilshire. Who new he was still a footballer.

Not as bad as you say though Doug.
Dont get me started on the inclusion of that pos Sterling . Just chop the tree down its never going to bear fruit.

[dougb]

England only manage a draw against a truly wretched Russia, actually both teams look wretched. Can't they find a better central midfielder than Rooney?

Doug

Yep , Jack Wilshire. Who new he was still a footballer.

Not as bad as you say though Doug.
Dont get me started on the inclusion of that pos Sterling . Just chop the tree down its never going to bear fruit.

Stirling was great until he got into the 18 yard box and then had to think...

I was impressed with England in the first although in the intermission show they pointed out issues with Rooney playing back in midfield and how that could really cause issues against a better opponent than Russia.

Doug

[Jimmydeicide]

Moving on to U.S. game. That panel, omg the mexican dude is more of a tit than Lalas. Hey fox you suck still, my word. Im off to put a red hot needle in my eye.

[XXXIV]

Moving on to U.S. game. That panel, omg the mexican dude is more of a tit than Lalas. Hey fox you suck still, my word. Im off to put a red hot needle in my eye.

[10spro]

Moving on to U.S. game. That panel, omg the mexican dude is more of a tit than Lalas. Hey fox you suck still, my word. Im off to put a red hot needle in my eye.

That's pincha sangre from 34.

[XXXIV]

[10spro]

Germany just finished beating Ukraine, they are in my view the favourites and looking at heir bracket, they should match up well with France in the semis.

Croatia was equally impressive, their midfield is as good as any squad in this tournament, they are the dark horse of the tournament. Watch out for Poland as well.

[10spro]

Hungary with the upset of the day and how about Iceland. Boy the Portuguese just couldn't break their D, has anyone seen Ronaldo?

[RobVarak]

Croatia was equally impressive, their midfield is as good as any squad in this tournament, they are the dark horse of the tournament. Watch out for Poland as well.

The Rakitic, Modric combo looks better on paper than on the pitch, though. They still haven't worked out how to get the best out of each other. It should be easy enough with Modric playing much deeper, but too often Rakitic just drifts out of the game for long stretches.

[RobVarak]

Sad and disappointing behavior in the Croatia - Czech Republic match. I was hoping the plans by their own fans to disrupt the Croatian games would go unrealized, but instead they're getting exactly what they wanted. Perversely, in an effort to punish what they think is racist, nationalistic behavior, UEFA may be lending a hand to the racists and fascists by expelling Croatia from the tournament or from qualifying for 2018. It's a stupid, complicated situation. Incredibly frustrating.

[10spro]

Sad and disappointing behavior in the Croatia - Czech Republic match. I was hoping the plans by their own fans to disrupt the Croatian games would go unrealized, but instead they're getting exactly what they wanted. Perversely, in an effort to punish what they think is racist, nationalistic behavior, UEFA may be lending a hand to the racists and fascists by expelling Croatia from the tournament or from qualifying for 2018. It's a stupid, complicated situation. Incredibly frustrating.

An absolute disgrace to the sport. And to the poor fellow who had it explode in his face as he was clearing the debris. These drunks are such a bad stain to the sport, the Czechs with the improbable tie. There's no choice but to expel these teams from the tournament or take the points away. There has to be a message sent by the league.

Italians looking good.

[RobVarak]

It's a much more complicated situation than it looks like, and I recommend looking at the work of journalists like Aleksandar Holiga to learn more. Pieces like this one

https://www.theguardian.com/football/bl ... federation

have done a good job explaining the craziness. The Croatian federation is run by racists and fascists who have done much to sweep terrible fan behavior under the rug. In an effort to drive these elements out of power, Croatian supporters have behaved crazily (the swastika on the ground in qualifying, the flares today) because they believe that the only way to get them out of power is to humiliate them and get Croatia tossed from international tournaments of consequence.

Their methods are inappropriate, but they are more or less on the "correct" side here. The problem is compounded by genuine idiots latching onto their behavior and acting out their own neo-fascist fantasies. Terrible situation.