Futbol

[Vrede too]

This was an intense game.

Sorry Morocco.

France still owns you.

Who will you root for?

[GoCubsGo]

This was an intense game.

Sorry Morocco.

France still owns you.

Who will you root for?

No strong feelings either way, but probably Argentina for the Messi factor.

[Vrede too]

Who will you root for?

No strong feelings either way, but probably Argentina for the Messi factor.

10:00 AM EST 3rd place game, TV: Fox
Go Morocco > Croatia
Morocco has already done better than any African or Islamic team ever, 3rd place would be gravy.

[GoCubsGo]

Who will you root for?

No strong feelings either way, but probably Argentina for the Messi factor.

10:00 AM EST 3rd place game, TV: Fox
Go Morocco > Croatia
Morocco has already done better than any African or Islamic team ever, 3rd place would be gravy.

https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022 ... p_catchall

[Vrede too]

No strong feelings either way, but probably Argentina for the Messi factor.

10:00 AM EST 3rd place game, TV: Fox
Go Morocco > Croatia
Morocco has already done better than any African or Islamic team ever, 3rd place would be gravy.

https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022 ... 32908.html

I wonder if the French players were vaxxed?

Morocco - Croatia 0-0 in the Group Stage on Nov 23. It's already 1-1 in the 9th minute.

[Vrede too]

Allah was not willing . Sooo close to equalizing in the last seconds, though.

[GoCubsGo]

Knowing enough about futbol to be dangerous.

Seems like a ticky tacky penalty to be awarded a penalty shot. The dude wasn't even shooting.

[GoCubsGo]

NOW THAT WAS A PROPER GOOOOOAAAAAAL!

Great pass!

[Vrede too]

Knowing enough about futbol to be dangerous.

Seems like a ticky tacky penalty to be awarded a penalty shot. The dude wasn't even shooting.

I thought the game started at 2pm EST . Not sure where I got that. Good thing you alerted me or I would have missed the whole thing.

I didn't think the halftime replay angles were definitive, but if there's a trip that causes change of possession and it happens in the box it's a penalty. The analysts didn't seem to have a problem with the call, didn't shade it even a little.

NOW THAT WAS A PROPER GOOOOOAAAAAAL!

Great pass!

2 great passes beginning with Messi's. France is in trouble, but it ain't over with. Since I wasn't very good on the field I would wait until we were up 3-0 before switching out of the goal.

[Vrede too]

What did I say? That was a good penalty call and a strong shot - through the keeper's hand. Then, seconds later, brilliant passing and goal. 2-0. Macron approves. It's a new game with 10 minutes left.

[Vrede too]

Messi Messi Messi! Yeah, he had lots of help on that one, but greatness does the right thing at the right time.

[Vrede too]

OMG! Yep, that's a penalty - hat trick Mbape, only the second one in a Final ever!

Edit: Wow, I'm out of breath. However the PKs end up this will go down as one of the greatest WC Finals ever. Great minds: As I was typing this the commentators both said, "The greatest ever."

[Vrede too]

Europe has won the last 4 WCs.

World Cup 2022: Ranking the 8 quarterfinalists from worst to best

8. Morocco (BetMGM odds +4000)
7. Croatia (+4000)
6. The Netherlands (+1400)
5. Portugal (+600)
4. Argentina (+600)
3. England (+600)
2. France (+400)
1. Brazil (+175) 5-time winner

My favorites, having nothing to do with odds of success, in descending order:

The Netherlands
Morocco
England, Go O Really!
Argentina
Portugal
Brazil
France
Croatia

GO Latin America!

Also - Golden Boot to Mbape.

[O Really]

So the best futbol teams in the world play in the biggest hoopdela tournament seen by billions and it comes down to guys kicking at a defenseless keeper from 15 yards (or whatever) out? Geez, why didn't they just flip a coin?

[Vrede too]

So the best futbol teams in the world play in the biggest hoopdela tournament seen by billions and it comes down to guys kicking at a defenseless keeper from 15 yards (or whatever) out? Geez, why didn't they just flip a coin?

It's not ideal, especially if one is a goalie . However, experiments with golden goals (sudden death, 1990s) and silver goals (leader after first OT period wins, early 2000s) were deemed failures. They were supposed to produce more attacking play in OT when players are tired, but actually resulted in even more cautious play.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_go ... n_football

I think some have suggested that the team with more corner kicks, a sign of aggressive play, could win. I've never seen a pro and con discussion. Off the top of my head it would be weird to say, "Well, we're going to consult the stat tally to decide the winner."

What would your solution be?

[GoCubsGo]

Was away from my computer.

Awesome! Twas an instant classic.

Don't know why they don't go to sudden death after the extra period.

[O Really]

What would your solution be?

I'd set the ball down in the middle of the field, and have all players stand inside their own goals. Upon the refs "go" everybody runs for the ball and begins play. No time limit. Play until they drop or score. First score wins.

[Vrede too]

I could see sudden death after the extra period or without an extra period. I'm not sure what having "all players stand inside their own goals" adds to it. Maybe there are tweaks to sudden death to make it less cautious and defensive - requiring 3 or more players to stay beyond midfield, suspending offsides, goalie cannot use hands, etc.

I won't hold my breath.

[O Really]

I could see sudden death after the extra period or without an extra period. I'm not sure what having "all players stand inside their own goals" adds to it. Maybe there are tweaks to sudden death to make it less cautious and defensive - requiring 3 or more players to stay beyond midfield, suspending offsides, goalie cannot use hands, etc.

I won't hold my breath.

I thought having all the players scramble for the ball at midfield would avoid any issue of who gets the ball first, whether the other side gets a chance, yada. They scramble for the ball, start playing, first score wins. Simple. Obviously if I actually knew anything about the game I wouldn't be able to come up with a simple idea.

[Vrede too]

I thought having all the players scramble for the ball at midfield would avoid any issue of who gets the ball first, whether the other side gets a chance, yada. They scramble for the ball, start playing, first score wins. Simple. Obviously if I actually knew anything about the game I wouldn't be able to come up with a simple idea.

It's not a big deal. The team that kicks off rarely scores without losing the ball at least once. A coin flip is sufficient.