Saturday, July 7, 2018
Holy Cow
World Cup semis? Oh my. I can't decide whether we were really good, or Sweden were really bad. Their style of play did suit us a think - but I'm surprised by how much we actually controlled the game. It was no Brazil-Belgium. And I still don't feel we played particularly well, but our set plays looked a lot better than against Colombia which was critical. Looks like I'll be taking more time off work next week!
Friday, July 6, 2018
4th from last World Cup post
Only comment about today's games - Belgium rode their luck, and France did just enough - goodbye remaining non-European teams and good riddance to those irritating South American cheats Neymar and Suarez.
Yep, I'm sick of writing about football as well. So here are some quotes I copied from an article I read online recently about American soccer trolls:
“I hate it so much, probably because the rest of the world likes it so much, and they riot over it, and they continually try to jam it down our throat.”
“I don’t care how good you are with your feet. God gave us these [hands] to separate us from the beasts of the fields.”
“Hands and opposable thumbs separate us from creatures of the wild.”
“You can’t use your hands in soccer. … What sets man apart from the lesser beasts, besides a soul, is that we have opposable thumbs.”
“Soccer kids can’t wait for soccer moms to pick them up at practice so they can go home and watch true-blue ’Mercan games.”
“Soccer is played by hundreds of thousands of American kids without the slightest enthusiasm—kids who can’t wait to bolt and get home to their skateboards and video games.”
“bland and monotonous”
the “Official Sport of Terrorism”
“The entire sport is predicated on guys hitting the deck and crying at the smallest hint of contact and coaches punching referees in the face and urine and blood bombs and riots.”
“It eliminates the swiftest and the most powerful and takes for its physical standard the average European male”
“To say you love soccer is to say you believe in enforced equality more than you believe in the value of competition and the capacity of the human spirit”
“Every time I pull up behind a Ford Aerostar with a ‘#1 Soccer Mom’ bumper sticker, I feel like I’m marching in the wake of the Khmer Rouge.”
“The same people trying to push soccer on Americans are the ones demanding that we love HBO’s Girls, light-rail, Beyoncé, and Hillary Clinton”
“If more ‘Americans’ are watching soccer today, it’s only because of the demographic switch effected by Teddy Kennedy’s 1965 immigration law, I promise you: No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer.”
Yep, I'm sick of writing about football as well. So here are some quotes I copied from an article I read online recently about American soccer trolls:
“I hate it so much, probably because the rest of the world likes it so much, and they riot over it, and they continually try to jam it down our throat.”
“I don’t care how good you are with your feet. God gave us these [hands] to separate us from the beasts of the fields.”
“Hands and opposable thumbs separate us from creatures of the wild.”
“You can’t use your hands in soccer. … What sets man apart from the lesser beasts, besides a soul, is that we have opposable thumbs.”
“Soccer kids can’t wait for soccer moms to pick them up at practice so they can go home and watch true-blue ’Mercan games.”
“Soccer is played by hundreds of thousands of American kids without the slightest enthusiasm—kids who can’t wait to bolt and get home to their skateboards and video games.”
“bland and monotonous”
the “Official Sport of Terrorism”
“The entire sport is predicated on guys hitting the deck and crying at the smallest hint of contact and coaches punching referees in the face and urine and blood bombs and riots.”
“It eliminates the swiftest and the most powerful and takes for its physical standard the average European male”
“To say you love soccer is to say you believe in enforced equality more than you believe in the value of competition and the capacity of the human spirit”
“Every time I pull up behind a Ford Aerostar with a ‘#1 Soccer Mom’ bumper sticker, I feel like I’m marching in the wake of the Khmer Rouge.”
“The same people trying to push soccer on Americans are the ones demanding that we love HBO’s Girls, light-rail, Beyoncé, and Hillary Clinton”
“If more ‘Americans’ are watching soccer today, it’s only because of the demographic switch effected by Teddy Kennedy’s 1965 immigration law, I promise you: No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer.”
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Independence Day!
Happy Traitor's Day! At least that is what someone texted me today. It kind of sucks that July 4th lies on a Wednesday this year, otherwise I would probably have gone somewhere for a long weekend. Instead, I'm back at work tomorrow. Hopefully I won't get too disturbed tonight by my neighbors setting off fireworks - which they've already been doing during the day, even though it's illegal where we are. But I expect I will be. I thought about going into work this evening in order to watch the big fireworks show on Lake Union from our office roof, but too much hassle - you need to get there early before they close the streets to traffic, then you have to hang around for ages until the show actually starts, and then you're stuck for hours afterwards because the traffic getting out is apparently an absolute nightmare. Maybe another year I might do it, but not this year.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
World Cup R16 Day 4
A "live" blog - as I write this whilst watching the England game. Or not so much watch, as put through the emotional wringer. I've once again contrived to have unreasonably high expectations for England, which will inevitably lead to nothing but massive disappointment and failure. Too much focus on the potential games ahead, rather than the actual game right in front of you. Mind you, I don't think Sweden pose much of a threat for whichever team wins this one.
- Harry Maguire looks like he could easily put on 20 stone if he didn't play football
- I've said it before, and I'll say it again, our national anthem absolutely sucks. But presumably when the queen dies or steps down, then we'll have to change it right?
- Sounds like more England fans in Moscow than expected - though suspect they will still be in the minority
- I'm not going to comment on the quality of the American commentators, but I am going to mention how much I dislike the FIFA rules expert that they employ, Dr Joe Machnik. Nope, not Joe Machnik but DOCTOR Joe Machnik. Douchebag.
- I prefer England's red shirts to their white shirts. I want to get a red shirt when I'm back in the UK (sadly, my current England shirt no longer fits me - obviously absolutely nothing to do with any potential weight gain in the last 15+ years since I got it, it must have shrunk in the wash)
- American ref? Hmmmm
- Slow start to the game. It seems like any England possession is going to be booed heavily.
- Set pieces - we need to capitalize. First couple have been disappointing. Doesn't bode well, since that is where all our goals come from
- First half-chance for Kane - nothing for Colombia yet. I keep on spelling Colombia as Columbia.
- I get butterflies ever time we try to play out of defense
- I get the impression that most of the good-locking fans they cut to with camera shots are probably ringers put in there by the Russians
- First quarter - fairly open game with no real good chances yet. I think Colombia are happy to sit back and counter. We've got to try to break them down somehow, which might be tough. Set plays are key.
- 4 corners - all disappointing so far.
- Don't slow the game down - England have the rested players and need to play with pace, we can turn their defenders
- Bit of a nothing game really so far - I can already feel the tension ratcheting up
- That should have been a RED CARD for a headbutt. Why didn't they review that? This free kick is ridiculous - the wall wasn't behind the line, and it's taking ages. Jeez. Some dirty games from the South Americans - no surprises there
- Tempers are getting raised - this could turn into a messy game
- End of the first half - this is nothing like England's first 2 games, going to be decided on a moment of skill or a moment of madness.
- American studio analysis of the game at halftime is as pathetic as it has been all tournament. As much talk about the game as about Ronaldo possibly moving to Juventus. Whatever.
- Weird start to the 2nd half - the ice dispenser on my fridge suddenly decided to spit out loads of ice.
- This has got 0-0 and penalties written over it so far. Colombia almost playing for it with 40 minutes to go
- We need to think about subs - we're not breaking them down at the moment.
- Jeez, look at all the shenanigans on the corner - PENALTY
- And now all the shenanigans delaying the penalty - absolutely appalling.
- YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Deserved after the attempted dirty mind games.
- Ref is totally losing control of this game.
- At least Colombia have to come out of their shell now. They are playing extremely negatively - trying to provoke England.
- This is turning into a rugby game - someone is going to get sent off soon
- Whatever happens - Colombia deserve to lose this game.
- This is the first game in this tournament that I can recall that has devolved like this. We won't be seeing any more American involvement in the tournament after this - the referee is having a shocker
- Colombia haven't posed any threat going forward, but I still feel like they're going to get a chance
- Could do with a 2nd just to make it a bit more comfortable
- 10 minutes to go - we should have counter opportunities. Still don't feel Colombia are posing any real threat so far
- That was Colombia's chance - after ANOTHER Walker error. Lucky.
- We cannot make mistakes. That is the only way they will beat us.
- 5 minutes to go. Tension almost unbearable
- England not spectacular today, but for the most part solid.
- Not impressed by Colombia - tried to play dirty, and played not to lose rather than to win
- 5 minutes injury time.
- This has been a not very pretty and not very memorable game, To add to a comfortable game (against Panama) and a game we wanted to lose (against Belgium). I don't remember a tournament like this before for England.
- OH NO. Conceding from a corner. Drama.
- How does England contrive to let Colombia back into it. Totally undeserving yet somehow inevitable.
- Colombia acting like they've won the game. If they get through this, absolutely depressing and undeserving. Making me angry rather than despairing. Especially with England having come so close to seeing out the game.
- Extra time - we need a David Platt-esque moment.
- I'm not sure I want to watch extra time. I'm hungry - I haven't had lunch yet - and I fear the worst. I'm going to stop blogging now, and will revisit the end of the game later.
Post-game addendum:
I couldn’t bear to watch extra time and/or penalties – instead I drove into work. Just knew it was going to come down to penalties. I stopped to get a sandwich on the way, and checked updates on my phone then. I saw that we were down in the penalty shootout – but then someone near me in the store shouted yes. I could see he was watching the shootout on his phone, but I couldn’t see the score. A quick refresh on my phone – and miracle upon miracles, we’d won. Talk about making things difficult, but it’s the result that matters. I guess no more talk about the decision to rest players against Belgium. I don’t think I would have been disappointed if we’d lost, I’d have been furious – the way Colombia played was a disgrace, with that head butt and their delaying tactics before Kane’s penalty in the 2nd half. So I think it was the right result – and the fair result for the “beautiful game”. And in this manner – that is surprisingly great “testicular fortitude” shown by England. It’s the kind of result that makes you believe we could go further – I think we have to be favorites against Sweden, who I wasn’t particularly impressed with against Switzerland.
- Harry Maguire looks like he could easily put on 20 stone if he didn't play football
- I've said it before, and I'll say it again, our national anthem absolutely sucks. But presumably when the queen dies or steps down, then we'll have to change it right?
- Sounds like more England fans in Moscow than expected - though suspect they will still be in the minority
- I'm not going to comment on the quality of the American commentators, but I am going to mention how much I dislike the FIFA rules expert that they employ, Dr Joe Machnik. Nope, not Joe Machnik but DOCTOR Joe Machnik. Douchebag.
- I prefer England's red shirts to their white shirts. I want to get a red shirt when I'm back in the UK (sadly, my current England shirt no longer fits me - obviously absolutely nothing to do with any potential weight gain in the last 15+ years since I got it, it must have shrunk in the wash)
- American ref? Hmmmm
- Slow start to the game. It seems like any England possession is going to be booed heavily.
- Set pieces - we need to capitalize. First couple have been disappointing. Doesn't bode well, since that is where all our goals come from
- First half-chance for Kane - nothing for Colombia yet. I keep on spelling Colombia as Columbia.
- I get butterflies ever time we try to play out of defense
- I get the impression that most of the good-locking fans they cut to with camera shots are probably ringers put in there by the Russians
- First quarter - fairly open game with no real good chances yet. I think Colombia are happy to sit back and counter. We've got to try to break them down somehow, which might be tough. Set plays are key.
- 4 corners - all disappointing so far.
- Don't slow the game down - England have the rested players and need to play with pace, we can turn their defenders
- Bit of a nothing game really so far - I can already feel the tension ratcheting up
- That should have been a RED CARD for a headbutt. Why didn't they review that? This free kick is ridiculous - the wall wasn't behind the line, and it's taking ages. Jeez. Some dirty games from the South Americans - no surprises there
- Tempers are getting raised - this could turn into a messy game
- End of the first half - this is nothing like England's first 2 games, going to be decided on a moment of skill or a moment of madness.
- American studio analysis of the game at halftime is as pathetic as it has been all tournament. As much talk about the game as about Ronaldo possibly moving to Juventus. Whatever.
- Weird start to the 2nd half - the ice dispenser on my fridge suddenly decided to spit out loads of ice.
- This has got 0-0 and penalties written over it so far. Colombia almost playing for it with 40 minutes to go
- We need to think about subs - we're not breaking them down at the moment.
- Jeez, look at all the shenanigans on the corner - PENALTY
- And now all the shenanigans delaying the penalty - absolutely appalling.
- YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Deserved after the attempted dirty mind games.
- Ref is totally losing control of this game.
- At least Colombia have to come out of their shell now. They are playing extremely negatively - trying to provoke England.
- This is turning into a rugby game - someone is going to get sent off soon
- Whatever happens - Colombia deserve to lose this game.
- This is the first game in this tournament that I can recall that has devolved like this. We won't be seeing any more American involvement in the tournament after this - the referee is having a shocker
- Colombia haven't posed any threat going forward, but I still feel like they're going to get a chance
- Could do with a 2nd just to make it a bit more comfortable
- 10 minutes to go - we should have counter opportunities. Still don't feel Colombia are posing any real threat so far
- That was Colombia's chance - after ANOTHER Walker error. Lucky.
- We cannot make mistakes. That is the only way they will beat us.
- 5 minutes to go. Tension almost unbearable
- England not spectacular today, but for the most part solid.
- Not impressed by Colombia - tried to play dirty, and played not to lose rather than to win
- 5 minutes injury time.
- This has been a not very pretty and not very memorable game, To add to a comfortable game (against Panama) and a game we wanted to lose (against Belgium). I don't remember a tournament like this before for England.
- OH NO. Conceding from a corner. Drama.
- How does England contrive to let Colombia back into it. Totally undeserving yet somehow inevitable.
- Colombia acting like they've won the game. If they get through this, absolutely depressing and undeserving. Making me angry rather than despairing. Especially with England having come so close to seeing out the game.
- Extra time - we need a David Platt-esque moment.
- I'm not sure I want to watch extra time. I'm hungry - I haven't had lunch yet - and I fear the worst. I'm going to stop blogging now, and will revisit the end of the game later.
Post-game addendum:
I couldn’t bear to watch extra time and/or penalties – instead I drove into work. Just knew it was going to come down to penalties. I stopped to get a sandwich on the way, and checked updates on my phone then. I saw that we were down in the penalty shootout – but then someone near me in the store shouted yes. I could see he was watching the shootout on his phone, but I couldn’t see the score. A quick refresh on my phone – and miracle upon miracles, we’d won. Talk about making things difficult, but it’s the result that matters. I guess no more talk about the decision to rest players against Belgium. I don’t think I would have been disappointed if we’d lost, I’d have been furious – the way Colombia played was a disgrace, with that head butt and their delaying tactics before Kane’s penalty in the 2nd half. So I think it was the right result – and the fair result for the “beautiful game”. And in this manner – that is surprisingly great “testicular fortitude” shown by England. It’s the kind of result that makes you believe we could go further – I think we have to be favorites against Sweden, who I wasn’t particularly impressed with against Switzerland.
Monday, July 2, 2018
World Cup R16 Day 3
Brazil and Belgium through today – to the surprise of absolute nobody. Though neither were particularly convincing – should make for a good quarter final. I still say Belgium regret beating England! Though a bit ominous that apart from Spain all the group winners have won their Round of 16 games so far. That is a bad omen for England. I’ve decided to work from home tomorrow morning so that I can watch the game from there. I’m a bit nervous – France and Belgium have shown that they are good enough to come back from adversity, but I’m not sure England can do the same. I predict a nervy and tense encounter – but if we take our chances, we should win. Most important match in a decade for England? Damn straight.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
World Cup R16 Day 2
The most important thing I learned today - when you record knock-out games, make sure you extend the recording to cover the possibility of extra time and penalties. The end of my recording of Denmark-Croatia got cut off - so I missed the agony and ecstasy of a 2nd penalty shootout. We came this close to a Russia-Denmark quarter-final - who would have thought that? Even though Croatia squeaked through, hardly convincing considering they are a much classier team than Denmark. Not sorry that Spain went out - I hate their style of play which is slow, methodical and boring, and today about as incisive as Arsenal on a bad day. But their exit opens up that side of the draw even more, which bodes well for England if - and it's a big if - they can progress further in the tournament.
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