choffer Posted June 22, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted June 22, 2018 All this talk about Russian hooliganism before the tournament - threats of gangs of Russians, roaming the streets (like at Euro 2016), looking for trouble and lots of fans staying away as a result. Nothing reported in the news though? Presumably Putin's iron fist and a threat of trips to Siberian gulags have ensure this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 3 hours ago, choffer said: All this talk about Russian hooliganism before the tournament - threats of gangs of Russians, roaming the streets (like at Euro 2016), looking for trouble and lots of fans staying away as a result. Nothing reported in the news though? Presumably Putin's iron fist and a threat of trips to Siberian gulags have ensure this? Probably. I find it strange how so many European fans have been put off but the Latin American fans have come over en masse considering the distance and cost it must involve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Nordic countries took big numbers by looks of it per population. Was the bigger European fan nations that were mainly put off though Italy didnt qualify and Spain are poor travellers usually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a m ole Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Tournament shaping up nicely for the knockout rounds, there’s a lot of traditionally second and third tier teams looking very handy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted June 22, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted June 22, 2018 The next couple of days will be very interesting. Assuming Brazil go on to win their group (which I know isn't a certainty), and Mexico keep up their performances and maybe nick the top spot in that group, England finishing second is going to be far far better than winning it. Obviously there's lots of ifs in there, but it's interesting. We'll know by the time England play their last game... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 potentially Argentina vs France and Germany vs Brazil in next round 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czechlad Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 50 minutes ago, Zatman said: potentially Argentina vs France and Germany vs Brazil in next round That's good. I would like to see some new nations advancing far in this tournament. Because of all these strange results, we are almost guaranteed to see a new nation in the semis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Mexico and Croatia look good bets although I'm always lazy in looking at who has who in the knock outs for some reason. Neither will probably want to run into Portugal for example who will probably be in quarters as they're likely to get Russia in round of 16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 16 hours ago, Czechlad said: . Because of all these strange results, we are almost guaranteed to see a new nation in the semis. Are we? I’d imagine we’ll still see 4 of Brazil, germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I haven't watched any of the games so far, not missing it either. Might take a look in the later stages. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Stevo985 Posted June 24, 2018 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted June 24, 2018 6 hours ago, rjw63 said: I haven't watched any of the games so far, not missing it either. Might take a look in the later stages. Your loss to be honest. it's been great 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted June 25, 2018 Moderator Share Posted June 25, 2018 On 24/06/2018 at 12:56, rjw63 said: I haven't watched any of the games so far, not missing it either. Might take a look in the later stages. Didn't know you were German. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Impressed by Asian region teams. Japan, Saudis and Iran all have a win and Australia and South Korea have not been disgraced either with both being unlucky at times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 France vs Denmark was first 0-0 of tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turvontour Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Why is there a penalty in most games? Influence of VAR? Bad defenders, clever forwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 apparently there is a special ball that will be used in the knock out stages of the WC, it's red. I mean sure, why not... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted June 27, 2018 Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2018 14 hours ago, turvontour said: Why is there a penalty in most games? Influence of VAR? Bad defenders, clever forwards? IMHO it's two-fold. I think having VAR has definitely allowed the refs to make braver initial decisions than they might have, safe in the knowledge they can reverse them if they're wrong. But secondly, it does seem as though they've been given an edict by FIFA to penalise WWE-style defending at set pieces. Stuff which fans have screamed about for years, but which normally went completely and bafflingly unpunished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 On 22/06/2018 at 22:15, VillaChris said: Mexico and Croatia look good bets although I'm always lazy in looking at who has who in the knock outs for some reason. Neither will probably want to run into Portugal for example who will probably be in quarters as they're likely to get Russia in round of 16. I think Russia will beat Portugal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted June 27, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted June 27, 2018 1 hour ago, bobzy said: I think Russia will beat Portugal. I'd be surprised if they both make the final 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chindie Posted June 27, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted June 27, 2018 1 hour ago, BOF said: IMHO it's two-fold. I think having VAR has definitely allowed the refs to make braver initial decisions than they might have, safe in the knowledge they can reverse them if they're wrong. But secondly, it does seem as though they've been given an edict by FIFA to penalise WWE-style defending at set pieces. Stuff which fans have screamed about for years, but which normally went completely and bafflingly unpunished. Listening to the commentary yesterday they mentioned that apparently on this latter point an English FA technical rep after the Tunisia game raised a point about the pulling and grabbing at corners to FIFA and subsequently refs and VAR have been harsher on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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