The Round Ball Game - II

[johncorrigan]

Football....Bloody Hell.

Spain only themselves to blame for a lacklustre and complacent effort, I’m afraid.

Couldn't agree more, saint - apart from a brief flurry in the last five minutes they just didn't see it coming. Like the Germans they have continued to play yesterday's football and no longer have the players to do it, and opposing teams know that - the Russians let them keep the ball as much as they want, as long as they were in front of them. At one point a stat popped up that suggested Spain had something like 750 passes to Russia's 170. Ludicrous! Russia defended gamely. Sad to see the end of Iniesta, but I personally will not be sad to see the Spanish adopt a more positive approach.

[teamsaint]

....and the bottom half of thr draw......its now or never for some of those countries....well most of them actually.

Good end to the half by Denmark, could yet be an upset here. Leaving Eriksen unmarked outside the box isn’t the smartest move.

[jayne lee wilson]

Throwback to that earlier template this one, of cagey play-for-penalties... I guess it had to happen eventually...
I think I'll go for a walk in the garden... feed the pigeons...

Wait a minute...78 minutes...? How time flies when you're not enjoying yourself...

***
21:05... Just heard a young girl's voice from a nearby garden... "tell me when it's penalties..."...
Exactly.
That tone of casual interest....

[BBMmk2]

My goodness! Another country of mine out! Spain!

[eighthobstruction]

....in the Spain-Russia game....did you see how Ramos was trapping {I think it was Smolov}the strikers arm against his body. then violently pulling down [as in a judo throw] but ending up with the striker on top of him....Cannot understand how Hierro didn't see it happening before him....and say -stop this nonsense- speed up and be incisive....Phwwsssss

[Lat-Literal]

Congratulations to President Putin and Russia for an excellent result against Spain. At least two senior sports journalists on Talksport during the weekend highlighted not only the manner in which those attending have been full of praise for the organisation of the tournament but the popularity of England among Russians, especially that of the Premier League in Russia's three leading football cities. Each referred to the way in which politicians and the news media in the lead up to the tournament described what they felt the experience for fans would be like and described that as, quote, "outrageous". So if nothing else there is now a clear division between British journalists working in news and working on the sports pages. And on the axis resides what might lightly be termed Russian culture where the perspectives are (a) from an on high distance and (b) ground level - no pun intended - experience.

[teamsaint]

All the wrong way round today. The evening game was supposed to be a romp for Belgium, but turned out to be another edge of the seat belter......

Fantastic to see Japan still trying to win the game the right way after being pegged back, but at the very last they were just too adventurous, when running the clock down would have got them to extra time. A fine oerformance, perhaps England dodged a bullet after all.
Marinez left it very late to change the game, but Chadli proved to be an inspired sub. Is he for sale?

The round of 16 has kept up the cracking standard, lets hope tomorrow keeps it going.

[johncorrigan]

All the wrong way round today. The evening game was supposed to be a romp for Belgium, but turned out to be another edge of the seat belter......

Fantastic to see Japan still trying to win the game the right way after being pegged back, but at the very last they were just too adventurous, when running the clock down would have got them to extra time. A fine oerformance, perhaps England dodged a bullet after all.
Marinez left it very late to change the game, but Chadli proved to be an inspired sub. Is he for sale?

The round of 16 has kept up the cracking standard, lets hope tomorrow keeps it going.

I think they knew they needed to win it in 90, ts. But what a goal to win any game! Wonderful 45 mins of footie.

[Lat-Literal]

I think they knew they needed to win it in 90, ts. But what a goal to win any game! Wonderful 45 mins of footie.

It was absolutely extraordinary - brilliant drama and I wanted Japan to win although Belgium could conceivably help England by knocking out Brazil.

I feel vindicated on at least four points I made in earlier posts :

That with some audacity I suggested that Japan were becoming the new Germany - yes, neat, tidy, organised and tenacious; that while that 5-2 Belgium-Tunisia score was impressive and based on an impressive performance, the 2 should worry as much as the 5 impressed : proven again today and so odd when you have the likes of Alderweireld, Kompany etc; that Martinez is such a good manager - especially presentationally and likeable - with the weirdest of flaws : in defensive tactics and here in the strange delaying of bringing on substitutes plus he didn't go for height in the initial team fielded; and that Lukaku isn't a player who one should usually expect to be scoring 2 or more goals, even if he had done this hitherto.

Henry is providing support to Martinez - if Belgium do end up winning this competition, flaws or not, I might sense as I once did that Arsenal have missed the managerial dream team.

As for MOTD, it was finally to my mind something close to a pundits' dream team - Shearer, Klinsmann, Ferdinand.

Also, I do wonder if it isn't just in politics where Britain operates in its own odd bubble but also the Premier League - we rate De Gea as the best goalkeeper in the PL, we underestimate Chadli and Fellaini, not to mention Yoshida, we glorify Messi from a distance, we thought that Costa was merely pretty good, we possibly slightly overdo the praise for De Bruyne etc etc.

[teamsaint]

I think they knew they needed to win it in 90, ts. But what a goal to win any game! Wonderful 45 mins of footie.

Yes, i’m sure you are right JC,but they weren’t going to score from a corner like that. If they had tried to play it short and work something that then broke down, I would have understood it. Hey ho, one of those games where everyone is a winner, I think.

[johncorrigan]

Yes, i’m sure you are right JC,but they weren’t going to score from a corner like that. If they had tried to play it short and work something that then broke down, I would have understood it. Hey ho, one of those games where everyone is a winner, I think.

You're maybe not thinking of it yet down there, sainty, but Belgium/Brazil could be a classic, if they both turn up.

[Stanfordian]

I'm just about to take up my default position when England are playing which is hiding behind the sofa.

Having been constantly worn by England's shocking lack of success for nearly 50 years I find it hard to be optimistic. If I was having a bet it would be on Columbia to win. But I hope I'm wrong!

[BBMmk2]

I'm just about to take up my default position when England are playing which is hiding behind the sofa.

Having been constantly worn by England's shocking lack of success for nearly 50 years I find it hard to be optimistic. If I was having a bet it would be on Columbia to win. But I hope I'm wrong!

Well I’m not being optimistic against Columbia too!

[Lat-Literal]

Seven out of the last eight places decided. One to go. Six have been filled by teams which topped their group. The only exception has been the host nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn1ocjcD-ZE

It's a weird age to be, this.

While '66 was in my lifetime, my first World Cup memory is of '70.

Such things matter.

I am constantly in awe of the knowledge of 30 and 40 something radio journalists but then become amazed when something crops up in a quiz like Tomaszewski and they don't know!

ITV - damn, their best pundit, Martin O'Neill, isn't on but at least there is still Wrighty.

The emotion around this tie - I have used this word before - is about professional self-discipline and modesty which has already been mentioned in the programme. It is deserving, especially as shaped against the odds, as it is old style. As a nation, we don't do vibrancy - a fine thing - especially well so let's leave that sort of entertainment to the opposition!

[Lat-Literal]

Err....I'm not liking it. The opposition are dirty. They have something of a natural flair which combines with non bombastic swagger. They are not brilliant but the referee is arguably a bit flaky. Sterling is now badly in need of a goal for confidence. They are targeting him on the confidence issue. We've got defenders - Stones? - who are fiddle faddling which could prove lethal. Just get the ball booted into midfield. Hoddle says that Kane is having a game of composure. Ridiculous - that's the measure of the man. This game is no different. But he is having to do a bit of everything. Lingard is doing his best but he can't get onto anything. I do like Trippier increasingly though. I don't get the impression of "hey we play in what is arguably the best league in the world" and frankly I don't understand it. It's either anxiety or tattooed cockiness - how ridiculous those will appear when taken ill in middle age - and it just needs, what, solidity and soundness? Gareth, your future position is not in question - this game is for winning but please, please, sort it out (let we get what we want this time). Ta.

Smiths for the Supporters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nxQLJmshak