Been enjoying it so far and plenty of surprises such as Germany and Argentina losing. A good late winner for England but for me, Belgium are definitely superior and will win the group. We just need to qualify and worry about potential opponents later. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

far from an expert as far as football goes, but I think it was far more exciting years back watching the world cup, National teams were stronger then, now the top European sides have better teams and the National teams are diluted with a few lemons

Still recall watching 1966 as a lad and being enthralled by Eusebio seemingly scoring from any angle, always remember Argentina kicking everyone off the park, and who of my generation can forget North Korea losing 5 - 3 to Portugal after being 3 - 0 up, I think Eusebio got at least 3 maybe 4 in the game.

I think it was maybe 1974 when Holland were heavily tipped to win, I recall not liking their style at all, found them a bore.

A useless fact I always remember from 1974 was West Germany won the cup and only lost one game on the way in the group matches to . . .East Germany. I can also remember watching a game with that deadly striker Gerd Muller, I think he touched the ball twice in the match, bot touches were goals . . .lethal !

Enjoyed the 1978 as Argentina with Kempes and Ayala were a great side.

BUT, like many for years and years, I would always say the Brazil team of 1970 were the finest thing I had ever seen


Current world cup, it strikes me everyone plays the same, there is no surprise at a teams totally different tactics or formation. 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
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My dad was 18 at the 66 World Cup and told me how him and his mates drove to Lea Green to laugh at some German fans based there  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

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No team is looking head and shoulders better than the others. Belgium looked good in the second half of their initial game, but very average for the first 45. Brazil won yesterday with two goals in extra time. Russia have scored goals but not looked that good - they've played Saudi Arabia and Egypt against whom they should have been expected to score goals. Argentina will be going home from the group stage.
Difficult to call the eventual winners at this stage.
Football generally's been good, although I'm tiring of the players going down for the slightest touch, inside and outside the box and when they do they hold their head.
Bring back Nobby Stlies, Norman Hunter and Rattin of Argentina, show them what tackling was all about

Last edited by Sidthecat on 23rd Jun 2018 11:24 pm. Edited 1 time in total

LR NUT wrote:

66

20 years since Scotland even appeared at a World Cup  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

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Think Spain are looking best at the moment, Spain v Portugal was and probably will be the best game of the tournament, that was great.

England, same old problems, they don't know how to play out of their own half. If you notice, they will pass the ball around for a bit at the back, then the player with the ball will stop because he is staring at 9 static England players who are staring back at him, he holds his hands out in exasperation because he has no one to pass to. (I never see a player from any other team do that, but I have noticed England do this going back several world cups ). So eventually they get bored \ embarrassed and play a longball forward, once the other team has the ball they seem happier.


The VAR system is a step in the right direction, but seems flawed, they really need to adopt the rugby format, that seems to work fine.

FIFA still don't seem to be doing anything about the players behaviour, diving, cheating, dissent, referee intimidation. If Argentina had put their effort into playing football instead of trying to play the system and the referee, they probably wouldn't have got spanked 3 - 0 by Croatia. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Scotland 2018 World Cup participation

LR NUT wrote:

Shiggsy summed it up well. Scotland can’t win any World Cup argument no matter how useless England are because they don’t even make it. To use the teabag example, Scotland don’t even make it out of the box  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Those dastardly Germans snatched victory from the jaws of a draw! LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

10 seconds of play left and Sweden hand them a free kick on the edge of the box....

Commentator went slightly over the top when Sweden scored first "....and the world shakes".  
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Less than an hour until kick off. Come on England! LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Fantastic score at half time. Panama playing dirty though. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I think thanks need to be extended to Panama for helping us achieve a 6-1 win. When they cut out all the dirty play in the 2nd half and started playing football they started to do well. Worrying thing is they could have got 3 possibly 4 back then. 
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