El Zen

Yeah, for all the talk about Haaland and Ødegård, the 90s team was lightyears ahead. Full of high quality players from Europe’s top leagues, full of winning mentality and leadership. Many of them have gone into management and done well. It’s quite telling that the core of the RBK side that won 13 titles in a row got relatively few caps. Ronny Johnsen is one of the most underrated defenders of my time. I’ve met him socially once, and he did indeed seem like a likeable chap. Jeg elsker Norge selv

I was 11. I still remember that night like it was yesterday. Absolute madness.

I stopped worrying about big transfer fees a while ago. Prices are so inflated they’re almost meaningless. He’s got good stats in a top tier league, a full French intl, and if Emery wants him, that’s all I need to know.

Third tier Kjelsås are through to the semi final of the Norwegian Cup after beating second tier Raufoss. They’ll host Molde for a place in the final. I think it’s a lovely story (Norwegian third tier is amateur level, although increasingly less so) but I’m frankly disgusted by the lack of a pitch invasion at full time. Seriously. In the other semi final, Vålerenga will host Bodø/Glimt. In short, it will be a Molde-Bodø/Glimt final, which means the atmosphere for the final will be absolutely flat. Both sets of fans are laughably bad, and both clubs are utterly vile.

Venezia kits are so sexy it’s almost silly.

I disagree with all of that, but to the bolded bit: If you can watch his SNL audition tape and not at least give a smile, I’d be almost impressed.

Which is correct, btw. The name comes from the founder’s initials: L.S.

My dad tried similar in a restaurant somewhere in the Deep South once. The poor lad serving us was barely old enough to drink the beer he was serving and my dad’s joking about being asked for ID at the age of 43 made him look like he was about to get shot. My dad trying to fix it by trying even harder made it worse. 17 year old me was about as embarrassed as you can imagine.

Should probably go in The Boring Thread (along with most of my posts, I can hear you all thinking) but I just realised I’ve put a pair of swimming trunks in the dryer and I haven’t felt this post-modern since I hoovered my robotic hoover.

I’m as critical of modern football as anyone on here, but even I think that’s a terrible take.

I’m 36 and can see the big 40 approaching with record breaking speed. I don’t generally feel I’m getting older, or that I’m acting older. I dress youthfully (cue meme) and I’m getting increasingly childish and care free. One area where I am getting older, though, is that I feel completely done with nightclubs, festivals and similar social situations. The missus is making me (that’s not true at all, but she really wants us to go, and I don’t want to be difficult) go to a three day festival in a couple of weeks, and there isn’t a single cell in my body that is looking forward to it

Shock waves through the Eliteserie as Vålerenga name their new manager: Geir Bakke. This means nothing to you, but Bakke joins directly from fierce rivals LSK, where he’s been very successfull. Imagine, if you can, SHA having a highly respected manager, loved by the fans and delivering success. But deep down, he loves the Villa, and when the opportunity comes, he jumps ship and joins the bigger club. I’m delighted.

I agree small ball is more entertaining and should be incentivized, but I’m already uneasy with the runner on second for in extras, and would be very weary of changing the fundamentals of how the game is scored and won. I like the bigger bases, though, and I’m leaning positive on the shift ban as well.

Yeah, absolutely, but fair play for having the awareness and guts to go for it. More of that, please.

I’ve come to expect football to get increasingly worse before it collapses or becomes unrecognisable. Hyper-commercialised and VAR-tainted, with a hefty dose of sportswashing. The Premier League beyond Villa games is of little interest to me, the Champions League even less so. I didn’t watch a second of the last World Cup and international football in general is just something that interferes with the club calendar for me. Lower league football from England and Germany is better fun, and while sadly VAR-tainted, at least the Norwegian league is too small to be subject to hyper-commerce and sportswashing. I just want to watch 22 guys kick a ball around, jump and sing and have a party, and to celebrate when my team scores. I want proper football fans in the stands who are passionate about their clubs and create a proper atmosphere. I just want to have the game I love and dedicate so much of my time and money to. I don’t want greedy c***s, gloryhunters and human rights abusers to steal it.

And plays like the one you posted above is what the game needs more of.

Incredible!

Love it. I don’t love the fact that they’d have been about my age when that pic was taken, even if they do look sexy AF, which (a young Julia Louis-Dreyfus very much aside) I never thought I’d say about the cast of Seinfeld.

The only issues with mine is a dodgy washer liquid sensor (says it needs refelling when it doesn’t) and the integrated phone charger doesn’t work. Both covered by warranty, and should be sorted once I find a suitable date to take it back. My only other grievance is a hyperactive lane assist, which is more a matter of taste than an actual flaw.

No. It’s for when I can’t be arsed to fix my beautiful full head of (not even remotely strawberry) blond hair.

Could be worse. I could look like you.

I’ll admit it, I have one. Only set me back about £250

It’s perfectly possible to follow trends and fashion and not look like a copy of the next guy. I like nice clothes and trainers, I’ll happily pay extra for brands I like too. Maybe that makes me a sucker, but f*** it, I feel good about it. I also have about five different baseball caps in rotation. And I’ll wear them back to front whenever I want.