Oddy; rest assured I'll be visiting the Kirk, the Pineapple, the Mosque, the Temple, the Synagogue, multiple Meeting Rooms and any other religious House of Worship I can find in Edinburgh on Saturday morning!
So, Argentina were pretty dismal in every respect, 6 yellow cards, manager walks off at the end without saying a bloody word to the Croatian manager, at least I don't think he did. Worst side they have ever put out. Congratulations to Croatia! Think I did say they would be tough opponents. Modric's goal was a beauty. So, I must continue living amongst the 'awful people' (you could have fooled me), all those I know have been taking it in their stride, disappointed sure, but hoping their team will fight to the end in their last two games. Nasty Germans in Kenya, well I never! Good night, must pop into the front room to see how my 'nasty' missus is getting on. She's the sweetest person imaginable, actually, how this miserable sod managed to coral her years ago was a minor miracle.
Don't think I would be returning to Buenos Aires any time soon if I was part of the squad! Reminds me of Stewart Kennedy who played in goal for Scotland in the 1975 match at Wembley; England won 5 - 1. Mr Kennedy disappeared to Australia shortly after and the story goes he could not even live in one of the main cities or towns. He moved to a wee settlement in the 'outback' and in the early 2000's a hitch-hiking Scot came across the missing goalkeeper. Mr Kennedy asked his fellow Scot if it would be okay for him to return 'home' ....... "not yet Stewart" was the response!
After Timing Alert I knew Croatia were a good bet yesterday at 19/5 with Skybet. Very strong team and played some excellent football. They could meet Spain in the 1/4 Final. Mouthwatering imo
I totally agree with this. There are some real wet people out there who like to bring out the chauvanistic label without sitting down to look at the harsh reality of how PC we have become. It's not good!
I think we could have our first 0-0 today. Brazil to win Nig v Ice draw Ser v Swis draw 10/1 with Skybet.
I can't help feeling this World Cup is going the same way as the FA Cup in England - the "superstars" () see it as a distraction from the lucrative business of club football. This was particularly evident with the Argentinians yesterday but I have also sensed it from Spain and even Brazil and Germany. Its almost like they can't be bothered. Conpare this to the attitude of some of the lesser teams who have been fighting nail and tooth for every ball, narrowing the preceived gulf in class until it has almost disappeared. What I liked about Croatia last night is that they combined the best of all worlds - talented, fit, passionate, committed, team spirit and "run till you drop" attitude. In a World Cup which looks devoid of a superb team these attributes could see Croatia go a very long way.
Its a strange thing the way I watch sport now-a-days as im a bit picky about what I watch and to how much enjoyment I get out of it. The World cup has always excited me, with or without England in it as you get to watch other teams that you would normally not see. But since the world has gotten smaller due to football being on tv most of the time, most of the players you see now ive already seen play in European competition or leagues. But last nights game between Argentina & Croatia reminded me why I love the World Cup regardless of who it is playing... The Argies were truly awful at times and the loneliness of Messi cutting a very forlorn figure was cringe worthy for him and the team. But Croatia played like a team that knew what each individual player should be doing to win the match, and had some damn good players to execute the coaches vision. What a sublime player Modric is, ably supported by Rakitic I may add, to be topped off with a wonderous stike for the 2nd goal. Though the technique for the first wasn't too shabby either.. The thing is International football dosnt get me as excited as Premiership football dos, but on the flip side of that International Rugby Union is far better than what you would see in their league to be fair. The standard of some of these teams, Iran, Saudi Arabia & Panama are awful, but they deserve to have their seat at the top table if they qualify through their competitions. The real stuff will only get going once the group stages are sorted then the teams who are well drilled all over the park will flourish. Here's hoping for a good tournament, and that Croatia play like they did for the rest of the tournament as they did last night, as they could trouble a fair few of them soon...
Fair point Oddy, and I would throw in those countries you speak of with their own media expectations as well. I don't know 100% what they have all been saying but the media pressure on Messi, Ronaldo, the Germans for not picking certain players, the French saying its the most talented side they have assembled but, and the Brazilian media saying its all about redemption after the slaughtering of zee germans last time only highlights the pressure to perform at the top... To be fair to our media they havnt billed England to win it as most have them at the quarter finals at best, which is where they should get to, but if they get passed that then watch them all change their tune...!!
Could be a perceptive observation but let's wait until, say, the quarter finals where in all likelihood six of the eight participants will be the usual suspects. I recall Tim Vickery stating many months ago on both talkSport and BBC Radio 5 Live that the Argentinian defence was a joke so the performance last night was not unexpected. Possibly the lack of any originality in attack was surprising however, as stated directly above, Croatia are a well drilled team with two or three very good individual players who cut out the service to and from Messi. Certainly a very interesting start to the tournament. Further to my plans for Saturday morning the incense is burning and I have borrowed my wee cousin's rosary beads!
I sincerely hope you have arranged for the necessary nine (9) Buddhist monks to do the essential chanting before the game begins? Hurry, if you haven't done it yet!
Not too easy to round up nine (genuine) Buddhist monks in Edinburgh; would probably have been a goer if the game was taking place in August during the Festival Fringe! Pentangle currently being chalked up on Kitchen floor!
@SwanHills @OddDog @bayernkenny http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport...rting-any-team-against-germany-20180619174389
My bonce works in a very illogical, almost tangential and non Teutonic way despite my many visits to and support of 'Deutschland'; Roy Hobbs was the name of the baseball star played by Robert Redford in 'The Natural'. Not too relevant however I don't really give a f**k! Nearly 13.00 here in Auld Reekie so its just about time for me to leave for my monthly appointment with the 'heid' doctor.