France. I'm feeling confident of a smashing. so 5-1

Edited July 13, 20187 yr by John Demonic

France by a two goal margin. 

On 7/13/2018 at 7:19 PM, Dee Zephyr said:

France by a two goal margin. 

Well picked DZ even if it took a howler by the keeper to make it so.

While not quite hitting the highs of champagne football it was an entertaining match. I thought Croatia's tactics of soft fouling early and often went a long way to stopping France from getting any breakaways. Croatia should be proud. They played a good game but France were the best team of the tournament.

Thoroughly enjoyable world cup and my time in Moscow and Kazan will always be a highlight for me. The Russian people in the end made it their world cup and it was a great one.

Thanks to you all on this forum .... it's been great to swap thoughts with you all.

Mbappe the fist teenager to score in a WC final since Pele... wow that's a big burden to carry. I will always feel lucky to have seen that France v Argentina game where he announced himself to the world.

Now for a new coach and the Asian Cup.

Edited July 16, 20187 yr by Diamond_Jim

Thanks for all the correspondence from Russia,  DJ ... we've thoroughly enjoyed the accounts of your travels & exploits.   You made the tournament feel much more alive for us onlookers. 

The whole event was great viewing throughout and the best team won.  France had the toughest path having to beat Argentina,  Uruguay,  Belgium and finally Croatia to win the prize ... a well deserved winner.  Australia took it right up to France as well. 

And we have a winner in the tipping comp (Demonland's version of the Ballon d'Or!)

Well done DZ ... you got the margin correct in the final as well! 

 

                     Final Tally in the Tipping Competition 

                                      22 - Dee Zephyr 

                                      19 - John Demonic

                                      15 - Macca

 

To the victor go the spoils ...

Keisuke Honda signs with Melbourne Victory. Only 32 and will offer plenty IMO. Interesting to see if Victory break the 30,000 members.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/soccer-japan-s-honda-signs-with-melbourne-victory

On 8/6/2018 at 10:33 AM, Dee Zephyr said:

Keisuke Honda signs with Melbourne Victory. Only 32 and will offer plenty IMO. Interesting to see if Victory break the 30,000 members.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/soccer-japan-s-honda-signs-with-melbourne-victory

Big signing. If they can just find someone to replace Berisha then they should be odds on to go back to back. 

Here are some of the big clashes to look out for this weekend. Likely winners in dark italics.

Sat 4.30am  Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim

Sat 9.30pm  Wolves vs Manchester City (SBS)

Sun 12.00am  Arsenal vs West Ham

Sun 2.00am  Juventus vs Lazio

Sun 2.30am  Liverpool vs Brighton

Sun 4.30am  Napoli vs AC Milan

Sun 6.15am  Real Valladolid vs Barcelona

Mon 1.00am  Newcastle vs Chelsea

Mon 2.00am  Borussia Dortmund vs FC Leipzig

Mon 6.15am  Girona vs Real Madrid

Tues 5.00am  Manchester United vs Tottenham (draw)

EPL Table ...

Edited August 24, 20187 yr by Macca

Proud point for Wolves tonight against Man City. Good to see. 

Ahh, not gonna make it till 2. Will watch Liverpool tomorrow morning.

The complete draw for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stage, made in Monaco on Thursday:

 

Group A:  Atletico Madrid (ESP),  Borussia Dortmund (GER),  Monaco (FRA),  Club Brugge (BEL)

Group B:  Barcelona (ESP),  Tottenham Hotspur (ENG),  Inter Milan (ITA),  PSV Eindhoven

Group C  Paris Saint-Germain (FRA),  Napoli (ITA),  Liverpool (ENG),  Red Star Belgrade (SRB)

Group D  Locomotiv Moscow (RUS),  FC Porto (POR),  Schalke 04 (GER),  Galatasaray (TUR)

Group E:  Bayern Munich (GER),  Benfica (POR),  Ajax (NED),  AEK Athens (GRE)

Group F:  Manchester City (ENG),  Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR),  Lyon (FRA),  Hoffenheim (GER)

Group G:  Real Madrid (ESP),  Roma (ITA),  CSKA Moscow (RUS),  Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Group H:  Juventus (ITA),  Manchester United (ENG),  Valencia (ESP),  Young Boys (SUI)

 

First round of matches on September 18 and 19

 

Bayern & Man City seemed to have fared best in their respective groups whilst there are 4 reasonably strong groups, 1 mediocre group whilst Real & Roma should be able to progress from group G. 

Edited August 31, 20187 yr by Macca

23 hours ago, Macca said:

The complete draw for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stage, made in Monaco on Thursday:

 

Group A:  Atletico Madrid (ESP),  Borussia Dortmund (GER),  Monaco (FRA),  Club Brugge (BEL)

Group B:  Barcelona (ESP),  Tottenham Hotspur (ENG),  Inter Milan (ITA),  PSV Eindhoven

Group C  Paris Saint-Germain (FRA),  Napoli (ITA),  Liverpool (ENG),  Red Star Belgrade (SRB)

Group D  Locomotiv Moscow (RUS),  FC Porto (POR),  Schalke 04 (GER),  Galatasaray (TUR)

Group E:  Bayern Munich (GER),  Benfica (POR),  Ajax (NED),  AEK Athens (GRE)

Group F:  Manchester City (ENG),  Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR),  Lyon (FRA),  Hoffenheim (GER)

Group G:  Real Madrid (ESP),  Roma (ITA),  CSKA Moscow (RUS),  Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Group H:  Juventus (ITA),  Manchester United (ENG),  Valencia (ESP),  Young Boys (SUI)

 

First round of matches on September 18 and 19

 

Bayern & Man City seemed to have fared best in their respective groups whilst there are 4 reasonably strong groups, 1 mediocre group whilst Real & Roma should be able to progress from group G. 

Liverpool supposedly in the group of death. It’s a tough group no doubt, PSG and Ancelotti’s Napoli. 

Meanwhile 1-0 over Leicester currently

28 minutes ago, layzie said:

Liverpool supposedly in the group of death. It’s a tough group no doubt, PSG and Ancelotti’s Napoli. 

Meanwhile 1-0 over Leicester currently

2 nil now ... without Vardy playing in this match spelled doom for the home side.  If Liverpool are going to threaten for the title they'll need to get lots of points against the other 5 big clubs.

So winning against the various minnow clubs becomes a mandatory exercise.  And there's probably about 8 - 10 minnow clubs in the Premier league - but it's often been that way.

Edited September 1, 20187 yr by Macca

1 hour ago, Macca said:

2 nil now ... without Vardy playing in this match spelled doom for the home side.  If Liverpool are going to threaten for the title they'll need to get lots of points against the other 5 big clubs.

So winning against the various minnow clubs becomes a mandatory exercise.  And there's probably about 8 - 10 minnow clubs in the Premier league - but it's often been that way.

Well that was unexpected. Leicester pressed up and really took it to them, probably ended up the better side on the day. But you gotta grind those ones out and Liverpool did. Who’s your EPL team Macca?

11 minutes ago, layzie said:

Well that was unexpected. Leicester pressed up and really took it to them, probably ended up the better side on the day. But you gotta grind those ones out and Liverpool did. Who’s your EPL team Macca?

West Ham ... and we've got next to no chance of ever being able to genuinely compete so I support the team without having much ambition for the team other than hoping we avoid relegation and occasionally doing well against the big clubs.  So we simply exist in the Premier league and that is about it.  There's the prestige but that means nothing to me.  Therefore,  I follow the league more than the club. 

I reckon in the next 5-15 years we'll end up seeing a 20 team European league proper ... it is heading that way anyway.  I'd welcome it too because all the individual leagues are dominated by the same teams anyway (with the odd exception) And that would open the door for a 2nd European league - promotion/relegation etc etc.

Every year we hear talk of it so I can't see how it won't eventually happen. The natural advancement of the sport in Europe.  Money talks. 

As it stands,  any team in the Champions League can play up to 13 individual games in that competition anyway.  And that's not counting any qualifying games that might be needed to qualify for the UCL. 

My interest is more so in the UCL now and I know others who are the same or who are heading that way. 

 

8 minutes ago, Macca said:

West Ham ... and we've got next to no chance of ever being able to genuinely compete so I support the team without having much ambition for the team other than hoping we avoid relegation and occasionally doing well against the big clubs.  So we simply exist in the Premier league and that is about it.  There's the prestige but that means nothing to me.  Therefore,  I follow the league more than the club. 

I reckon in the next 5-15 years we'll end up seeing a 20 team European league proper ... it is heading that way anyway.  I'd welcome it too because all the individual leagues are dominated by the same teams anyway (with the odd exception) And that would open the door for a 2nd European league - promotion/relegation etc etc.

Every year we hear talk of it so I can't see how it won't eventually happen. The natural advancement of the sport in Europe.  Money talks. 

As it stands,  any team in the Champions League can play up to 13 individual games in that competition anyway.  And that's not counting any qualifying games that might be needed to qualify for the UCL. 

My interest is more so in the UCL now and I know others who are the same or who are heading that way. 

 

Nice! Plenty of respect there, always had a soft spot for the Hammers. Loved the Redknapp era and enjoyed the Alan Pardew team with Benayoun, Mullins, Gabbidon that made the FA Cup final. 

As you say though it is very hard to follow a club in that position. The only real hope is a dream run in a cup tournament. Definitely wouldn’t rule out a super Euro league. If it means money of course it will get looked at.

4 minutes ago, layzie said:

Nice! Plenty of respect there, always had a soft spot for the Hammers. Loved the Redknapp era and enjoyed the Alan Pardew team with Benayoun, Mullins, Gabbidon that made the FA Cup final. 

As you say though it is very hard to follow a club in that position. The only real hope is a dream run in a cup tournament. Definitely wouldn’t rule out a super Euro league. If it means money of course it will get looked at.

I go back aways ... the Trevor Brooking,  Frank Lampard sr,  Mervyn Day & Billy Bonds era with 2 FA Cup wins in 1975 & 1980.  But the Hammers aren't on an equal footing so the grief isn't there like it could be,  all things being equal.  Soccer operates in a free market and that will probably never change. 

It could be worse though ... I know a few Leeds United fans.  They used to be great and now they can't get out of the Championship. 

I remember when Liverpool used to win the league on a constant basis ... year after year your team either won it or came 2nd.  It's actually hard to believe that you haven't won the league for nearly 30 years.  Premier League/Division 1 - same thing.

Man City will probably win it again unless the other big clubs can take points off them - Liverpool included.  Spurs with Kane are a threat too.  Arsenal seems to have dropped away whilst Man Utd have got issues especially with Mourinho.  Maybe Chelsea?

3 minutes ago, Macca said:

I go back aways ... the Trevor Brooking,  Frank Lampard sr,  Mervyn Day & Billy Bonds era with 2 FA Cup wins in 1975 & 1980.  But the Hammers aren't on an equal footing so the grief isn't there like it could be,  all things being equal.  Soccer operates in a free market and that will probably never change. 

It could be worse though ... I know a few Leeds United fans.  They used to be great and now they can't get out of the Championship. 

I remember when Liverpool used to win the league on a constant basis ... year after year your team either won it or came 2nd.  It's actually hard to believe that you haven't won the league for nearly 30 years.  Premier League/Division 1 - same thing.

Man City will probably win it again unless the other big clubs can take points off them - Liverpool included.  Spurs with Kane are a threat too.  Arsenal seems to have dropped away whilst Man Utd have got issues especially with Mourinho.  Maybe Chelsea?

Actually you might be the guy to ask this question. What was Trevor Brooking like as a player and which midfielder of recent times did he most resemble? I've tried to ask around but haven't got an in depth answer yet. Would you go back quite as far as Bobby Moore and Hurst?

Leeds is definitely a sad story. I love watching docos or reading stuff about the Don Revie Leeds sides of the 60s and 70s. Bremnar, Lorimer, Gray, Charlton. Would have been an awesome side to follow at the time.

Very hard to believe. Liverpool never had trouble finding the right men for the job of manager, Paisley was from the Shankly school, Fagan and Dalglish from the Paisley school right up until Roy Evans was when that lineage ended and since then we've really been in the wilderness. Not to mention other clubs have become stronger (some with mass wealth). Dynasties do come to an end eventually.

Can't see City losing it to be honest, there's just too much quality in that squad. Unless more injuries like De Bruyne happen! Spurs can definitely challenge despite any big signings. Chelsea could be anything.

9 hours ago, layzie said:

Actually you might be the guy to ask this question. What was Trevor Brooking like as a player and which midfielder of recent times did he most resemble? I've tried to ask around but haven't got an in depth answer yet. Would you go back quite as far as Bobby Moore and Hurst?

Leeds is definitely a sad story. I love watching docos or reading stuff about the Don Revie Leeds sides of the 60s and 70s. Bremnar, Lorimer, Gray, Charlton. Would have been an awesome side to follow at the time.

Very hard to believe. Liverpool never had trouble finding the right men for the job of manager, Paisley was from the Shankly school, Fagan and Dalglish from the Paisley school right up until Roy Evans was when that lineage ended and since then we've really been in the wilderness. Not to mention other clubs have become stronger (some with mass wealth). Dynasties do come to an end eventually.

Can't see City losing it to be honest, there's just too much quality in that squad. Unless more injuries like De Bruyne happen! Spurs can definitely challenge despite any big signings. Chelsea could be anything.

Brooking was a poor man's 'Socrates' ... had a touch of magic like the great Brazilian.  Also a bit like Glenn Hoddle although Brooking's passes were through the middle rather than classic crosses.  He's often known for his goals but he was great passer of the ball.

De Bruyne-like although not as good ... the through ball from the middle was his speciality.  Never saw Moore or Hurst much although I obviously know of them both.

And Leeds currently lead the Championship so they might be on their way back layz

Edited September 2, 20187 yr by Macca

Exquisite stuff here ... the inch-perfect long through ball by Kimpembe and then the one-touch control & finish by Mbappe - amazing!

 

 

3 hours ago, Macca said:

Brooking was a poor man's 'Socrates' ... had a touch of magic like the great Brazilian.  Also a bit like Glenn Hoddle although Brooking's passes were through the middle rather than classic crosses.  He's often known for his goals but he was great passer of the ball.

De Bruyne-like although not as good ... the through ball from the middle was his speciality.  Never saw Moore or Hurst much although I obviously know of them both.

And Leeds currently lead the Championship so they might be on their way back layz

Yeah sounds right, from what I hear had great controlled passing. Glenn Hoddle, amazing player. The most non typical English player you could get, if he was French he probably would have had 200 caps. 

One of my good friends is a massive Sheffield Wednesday fan so I’m used to hearing a lot of hatred towards Leeds haha. I don’t mind them though!

4 minutes ago, layzie said:

Yeah sounds right, from what I hear had great controlled passing. Glenn Hoddle, amazing player. The most non typical English player you could get, if he was French he probably would have had 200 caps. 

One of my good friends is a massive Sheffield Wednesday fan so I’m used to hearing a lot of hatred towards Leeds haha. I don’t mind them though!

There are a lot of teams in the Championship that I grew up watching (Forest,  Derby,  QPR,  Leeds,  Villa,  Birmingham,  Ipswich & Blackburn) 

And many of the now Premier League teams were absolute minnows back then... mind you,  we got maybe 1 hour per week of the Division 1 games on the tele - often on a week's delay back in the day.  Match of the Day & Star Soccer and that was about it.  Oh,  and 'Shoot' magazine was a must-buy. 

22 minutes ago, Macca said:

There are a lot of teams in the Championship that I grew up watching (Forest,  Derby,  QPR,  Leeds,  Villa,  Birmingham,  Ipswich & Blackburn) 

And many of the now Premier League teams were absolute minnows back then... mind you,  we got maybe 1 hour per week of the Division 1 games on the tele - often on a week's delay back in the day.  Match of the Day & Star Soccer and that was about it.  Oh,  and 'Shoot' magazine was a must-buy. 

Yeah for sure. Forest is another one I have a soft spot for. As for Aston Villa, I still can’t fathom the idea that they aren’t in the Premier League. Such a proud club.

In the 90s I was a fan of British Soccer Week the magazine. I miss going to the newsagents.

12 minutes ago, layzie said:

Yeah for sure. Forest is another one I have a soft spot for. As for Aston Villa, I still can’t fathom the idea that they aren’t in the Premier League. Such a proud club.

In the 90s I was a fan of British Soccer Week the magazine. I miss going to the newsagents.

Horse Racing in Australia still has Best Bets & Winning Post and both mags are still excellent ... Note to self - must go back to purchasing them again. 

But what is there available with regards to hard copy magazines pertaining to the World game layz?  Is 'Match' still going?  FourFourTwo'?  Haven't seen 'Shoot' for years but I believe they might do the odd publication.

47 minutes ago, Macca said:

Horse Racing in Australia still has Best Bets & Winning Post and both mags are still excellent ... Note to self - must go back to purchasing them again. 

But what is there available with regards to hard copy magazines pertaining to the World game layz?  Is 'Match' still going?  FourFourTwo'?  Haven't seen 'Shoot' for years but I believe they might do the odd publication.

FourFourTwo would be the pick of them. As far as I know Match is still going. It’s been so long since I bought a magazine of anything, pathetic I know.

On 9/2/2018 at 2:38 PM, Macca said:

There are a lot of teams in the Championship that I grew up watching (Forest,  Derby,  QPR,  Leeds,  Villa,  Birmingham,  Ipswich & Blackburn) 

These are the teams of my childhood, too, Macca, and while I've been always a Spurs supporter, I did have a little dalliance with Leeds back in the Gordon Strachan days, Gary Speed etc.

Tottenham will be thereabouts again this year but can't see us challenging for the premiership - we're just a step below the likes of City and Liverpool in the talent stakes. I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the owner's 'no big spending' policy will have us treading water as a top 6 side whose main aim each year is to qualify for CL. 

It's funny, I was watching the Spurs - Watford game this morning and Watford were pressing hard with Tottenham 1-0 ahead. At times like that, I would normally pray to the sporting gods to not let the other team score, but I made a conscious decision to let it pass, thinking to myself that I need to save my prayers for Friday night against the Cats. Sure enough, we conceded 2 in about 5 minutes!