World Cup 2018: Russia

[Xela]

5 minutes ago, bobzy said:

England's group is easier than Russia's.

I was just going by the FIFA co-efficiencies on the Guardian. Russia probably drags it down a bit as the weakest number 1 team. 

Quote

Group E Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia Ave coefficient: 1069.75
Group F Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea Ave coefficient: 1048.7625
Group C France, Australia, Peru, Denmark Ave coefficient: 1039.3975
Group B Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran Ave coefficient: 1031.105
Group D Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria Ave coefficient: 986.7075
Group G Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England Ave coefficient: 957.88
Group H Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan Ave coefficient: 948.275
Group A Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay Ave coefficient: 700.41

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/dec/01/world-cup-2018-draw-russia-live

[VillaChris]

1 minute ago, TheAuthority said:

What are the odds Lukaku will knock in a goal or 2 against us?

Got a feeling Benteke will come off the bench and score the winner.

[Zatman]

England 0-0 Panama

A classic World Cup game

[sne]

This will be fun for the Swedish fans.

The first match, Sweden-South Korea, is played in Nizhny Novgorod (the distance from Stockholm to Nizhny Novgorod is 932 miles as the crow flies).

After that the Swedish fans - will descend to the southwestern city of Sochi (900 miles from Nizhny Novgorod as the crow flies ) and meet Germany.

Then the group game ends with a new long journey, from Sochi to Yekaterinburg (1304 miles as the crow flies) and match against Mexico at this place:

Not one for the away fans this group.

[maqroll]

Some fun looking groups. No clear Group of Death, but I'm gonna guess the Argentina group has the title? Nice draw for England.

[ThunderPower_14]

Yeah there really isn't a super tough group. I guess that's what happens when so many big teams miss out.

[PaulC]

Very good draw for England. This has to be the year Belgium deliver. Two of the very best players in world football. De Bruyne and Hazard. NO excuses for Martinez. 

[VillaChris]

3 hours ago, ThunderPower_14 said:

Yeah there really isn't a super tough group. I guess that's what happens when so many big teams miss out.

Italy, Holland and US would've all been in pot 2 for the draw. Lot of weaker second seeds this year.

I would say the Argentina group. Croatia probably the strongest second seeds and Nigeria arguably best African team. Iceland are also no mugs obviously.

[HanoiVillan]

This is where I get into my bit criticising the FA and their love of 'prestige' friendlies. It's entirely possible that we'll go through all four winter friendlies without scoring a goal, doing nothing but defending our own eighteen-yard line, and then we're astonished the team don't know how to break down Algeria/Costa Rica/Panama. 

[Grasshopper]

Sky cranking up the „who we are likely to beat to WIN THE WORLD CUP“

What a joke

Against the first organised team we will show our true colours. Shit players - Shit manager & coaches - a delusioned FA who are raking in the money

FA -> GS : „ go out on penalties Gareth, it‘s always our best excuse“

[Rugeley Villa]

Got to be the most boring World Cup draw ever!

[Genie]

4 hours ago, Grasshopper said:

Sky cranking up the „who we are likely to beat to WIN THE WORLD CUP“

What a joke

Against the first organised team we will show our true colours. Shit players - Shit manager & coaches - a delusioned FA who are raking in the money

FA -> GS : „ go out on penalties Gareth, it‘s always our best excuse“

Not saying we’ll beat the better sides but I fancy us more than to break down a weak side playing for a draw, or defending an early goal. We just can’t do it.

[sne]

Peruvian captain Paolo Guerrero suspended 1 year and missing the WC for use of cocaine, or rather coca leaf tea that is common in Peru.

Shame for him and for Peru.

[Hornso]

On 12/9/2017 at 00:39, sne said:

Peruvian captain Paolo Guerrero suspended 1 year and missing the WC for use of cocaine, or rather coca leaf tea that is common in Peru.

Shame for him and for Peru.

Good news for Australia 

[Dr_Pangloss]

Cocaine won't really enhance performance, I tend to think they're a bit too harsh when it comes to recreational drugs.

[PieFacE]

14 minutes ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

Cocaine won't really enhance performance, I tend to think they're a bit too harsh when it comes to recreational drugs.

Yep it's a bit daft. If anything it would do the complete opposite. 

[sne]

12 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

Yep it's a bit daft. If anything it would do the complete opposite. 

And in this case it's not even the drug.

The tea is used in Peru (and Bolivia) to combat altitude sickness.

You can buy it and candy with the same substance in gas stations...

Edit: Come to think about it, it might actually have been performance enhancing, unlike the actual drug.

Edited December 11, 2017 by sne

[andykeenan]

FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 - TV SCHEDULE

All times are UK kick-offs.

GROUP STAGE

Thursday, June 14

16.00 (ITV) Russia v Saudi Arabia

Friday, June 15

13.00 (BBC) Egypt v Uruguay

16.00 (ITV) Morocco v IR Iran

19.00 (BBC) Portugal v Spain

Saturday, June 16

11.00 (BBC) France v Australia

14.00 (ITV) Argentina v Iceland

17.00 (BBC) Peru v Denmark

20.00 (ITV) Croatia v Nigeria

Sunday, June 17

13.00 (ITV) Costa Rica v Serbia

16.00 (BBC) Germany v Mexico

19.00 (ITV) Brazil v Switzerland

Monday, June 18

13.00 (ITV) Sweden v Korea Republic

16.00 (BBC) Belgium v Panama

19.00 (BBC) Tunisia v England

Tuesday, June 19

13.00 (BBC) Colombia v Japan

16.00 (ITV) Poland v Senegal

19.00 (BBC) Russia v Egypt

Wednesday, June 20

13.00 (BBC) Portugal v Morocco

16.00 (BBC) Uruguay v Saudi Arabia

19.00 (ITV) IR Iran v Spain

Thursday, June 21

13.00 (ITV) Denmark v Australia

16.00 (ITV) France v Peru

19.00 (BBC) Argentina v Croatia

Friday, June 22

13.00 (ITV) Brazil v Costa Rica

16.00 (BBC) Nigeria v Iceland

19.00 (BBC) Serbia v Switzerland

Saturday, June 23

13.00 (BBC) Belgium v Tunisia

16.00 (ITV) Korea Rep v Mexico

19.00 (ITV) Germany v Sweden

Sunday, June 24

13.00 (BBC) England v Panama

16.00 (BBC) Japan v Senegal

19.00 (ITV) Poland v Colombia

Monday, June 25

15.00 (ITV) Uruguay v Russia

15.00 (ITV4) Saudi Arabia v Egypt

19.00 (BBC) IR Iran v Portugal

19.00 (BBC) Spain v Morocco

Tuesday, June 26

15.00 (ITV) Denmark v France

15.00 (ITV4) Australia v Peru

19.00 (BBC) Nigeria v Argentina

19.00 (BBC) Iceland v Croatia

Wednesday, June 27

15.00 (BBC) Korea Rep v Germany

15.00 (BBC) Mexico v Sweden

19.00 (ITV) Serbia v Brazil

19.00 (ITV4) Switzerland v Costa Rica

Thursday, June 28

15.00 (BBC) Japan v Poland

15.00 (BBC) Senegal v Colombia

19.00 (ITV) England v Belgium

19.00 (ITV4) Panama v Tunisia

The BBC will have the first two choices of quarter-final games, including England's if they progress that far.

[rjw63]

1 hour ago, andykeenan said:

 

 

19.00 (ITV) IR Iran v Spain

[andym]

Looks like Southgate has a backbone, Joe Hart not in the England squad (deservedly), despite all the pundits saying he was needed for 'his experience'.