World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

[mookie1995]

I’m much more direct: “Don’t like the fact their being slow on the restart? Don’t foul them/kick the ball out.”

do you look to yellow someone who does delaying stuff (moving the ball, diving, etc) early to set a tone? then voice it loud enough to get the message across?

or rather just let the game play.

are there refs then who carry a rep that some things aren't allowed or are allowed? like an ump with a wide strike zone?

[Slap Shot]

In looking at the brackets when you look at current form is the top half really much more difficult than the bottom? Sitting at a bar watching games right now so don't want to spend time dissecting it but I don't see it that way.

[Shirtless Guy]

In looking at the brackets when you look at current form is the top half really much more difficult than the bottom? Sitting at a bar watching games right now so don't want to spend time dissecting it but I don't see it that way.

probably not but perception will always be that there is an easier half...

[joecct]

Columbia converts a corner kick and now lead the group.

Poland leads Japan, so I THINK Senegal still gets in as #2.

Nope Japan is #2 if the results hold.

[French Rage]

Columbia converts a corner kick and now lead the group.

Poland leads Japan, so I THINK Senegal still gets in as #2.

Nope Japan is #2 if the results hold.

The best part, Japan could drop out if they get two yellow cards in the remaining minutes, even if no one in either game scores any goals.

[Spartanforlife4]

Senegal out on fair play.

I understand that if you hurry too much you're likely to mess up, but 30 seconds left with a throw in, you should probably try not to take the entire time to get it in.

On the plus side, this means Belgium and England will actually go for a win to avoid Colombia.

[First Time, Long Time]

1st time since 82...no African sides advance

[Jimjamesak]

1st time since 82...no African sides advance

1) European World Cup (non-Euro teams generally struggle).
2) Weaker countries qualifying (No Ghana, no Ivory Coast).
3) Nigeria in a tough group.

[Spartanforlife4]

10 UEFA
4 CONMEBOL
1 CONCACAF + AFC

So besides Japan, the underdogs are either Mexico or Russia. Bleh.

[Jimjamesak]

10 UEFA
4 CONMEBOL
1 CONCACAF + AFC

So besides Japan, the underdogs are either Mexico or Russia. Bleh.

By the Quarterfinals you get what I would consider to be a correction. The group stage and the round of 16 will have upsets but by the time the semis are determined it’ll be the same faces.

[Slap Shot]

BEL-ENG could be a borefest with all the lineup changes and lack of sense of urgency. Too bad.

[joecct]

BEL-ENG could be a borefest with all the lineup changes and lack of sense of urgency. Too bad.

Avoiding the double yellow.

[Jimjamesak]

Avoiding the double yellow.

Also injuries and rest.

[TovarishchLisa]

BEL-ENG could be a borefest with all the lineup changes and lack of sense of urgency. Too bad.

PAN/TUN has been surprisingly entertaining.

[Jimjamesak]

Even at the World Cup Seattle players are getting hurt.

[joecct]

I went all in on the FIFA bracket challenge and picked England over Belgium.

[Spartanforlife4]

I love that Deadspin refuses to go back on any take they have. They've talked for days about how it's better to lose the England-Belgium game back when it looked like you'd get either Senegal or Japan no matter the result. Now, despite Colombia taking first, they're still saying it was better to lose the game rather than get Japan in the opener, simply because the second round match-up is most likely Brazil.

Sure, Colombia then Switzerland/Sweden may not be the hardest road, but it's possible to end up with Japan and Mexico. And you still have to beat Colombia, who's a full ten points higher in SPI rankings than Japan.

Edit: Actually, looks like their original article also brought up the loser facing Colombia. So I guess it's just a bad take to begin with.

[Jimjamesak]

I love that Deadspin refuses to go back on any take they have. They've talked for days about how it's better to lose the England-Belgium game back when it looked like you'd get either Senegal or Japan no matter the result. Now, despite Colombia taking first, they're still saying it was better to lose the game rather than get Japan in the opener, simply because the second round match-up is most likely Brazil.

Sure, Colombia then Switzerland/Sweden may not be the hardest road, but it's possible to end up with Japan and Mexico. And you still have to beat Colombia, who's a full ten points higher in SPI rankings than Japan.

I like Deadspin but Haisley is a cancer on the soccer coverage on that site and it affects the others. His article ripping into US Players calling out Landon Donovan because “the US-Mexico rivalry doesn’t matter” was utter nonsense.

[Spartanforlife4]

I like Deadspin but Haisley is a cancer on the soccer coverage on that site and it affects the others. His article ripping into US Players calling out Landon Donovan because “the US-Mexico rivalry doesn’t matter” was utter nonsense.

He got ripped on that one, which you know is bad because the commenters are generally 90% behind the writer and attack the dissenters. Same thing happened when Lauren Theisen wrote about how fair play was stupid as a tiebreaker and then offered no alternative. I think she's my least favorite writer on the entire site. There's just no substance to her articles.

[Shirtless Guy]

I don’t think I want Sweden...