Football World Cup - Russia 2018

[Bollo]

I don't know if it's a blip but have standards levelled in world football? The tournament has been invigorated by many of the so-called big teams under-performing and getting knocked out.
It's been refreshing.

I wonder how much the effect of the European mega-leagues, especially the Prem, sucking up global talent has levelled the field. The top talent from every nation gets thrown into a small number of melting pots where they're exposed to other top players and the best coaches. The Prem comes out top, with Manchester City the most represented club. There's a good argument to be had about the small number of English players in the top clubs vs the benefits of those players working with some of the best coaches and foreign players, but I think we're seeing at least some of the benefits this time around.

Anyways, here are the stats....

https://www.statista.com/statistics/865774/leagues-most-players-world-cup/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/865767/club-teams-players-world-cup/

 

[matiz]

Good Ponder. My mum was Scottish and she was rubbish at football. Coincidence?[/QUOTE
My mum was welsh and she liked doing the football pools.

 

[ozboz]

View attachment 418072 15 hours to go , so to sort of quote Lord Nelson............

 

[steveindenmark]

Good to see most of the latin teams on the way home. If seems that the more they pay you in football. The more you can throw yourself on the floor like a spoilt child.

There are some tough teams left in. It might not be pretty. But it might be football instead of amateur dramatics.

 

[smutchin]

One of tonights pundits made a good point.TEAM play has won the games not single players,no big heads have gone through.

Did he also observe that it’s a game of two halves, Brian?

 

[AndyRM]

I wonder if Sweden will play with a flat pack four later?

 

[Hitchington]

England had Goldenballs:

And Sweden had Meatballs:

 

[GM]

This made me laugh, borrowed off of FB.......

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

That right winger the Brazilians bought on last night was awesome! Cosmo or Costa or something like that?

He would do well in the Premiership.

Maybe Swindon Town will put an offer in for him?

 

[Dayvo]

That right winger the Brazilians bought on last night was awesome! Cosmo or Costa or something like that?

He would do well in the Premiership.

Maybe Swindon Town will put an offer in for him?

Agreed, but Swindon Town and Premiership is an oxymoron, Shirley.

 

[mustang1]

My prediction: England will win .
Why? Coz some org haspaid some other org to get british public distracted from brexit cockup.

 

[AndyRM]

Walked to the iron monger just now, there was a taxi with two England flags on belting Football's Coming Home at full volume. There was a guy on the pavement signing along and dancing. I wish I'd filmed it.

 

[smutchin]

View: http://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/1014485179639922688

 

[smutchin]

Can someone remind me I've put a couple of cans in the freezer.

You’ve put a couple of cans in the freezer. Hope it’s not too late to remind you.

 

[Bollo]

My prediction: England will win .
Why? Coz some org haspaid some other org to get british public distracted from brexit cockup.

That reminds me, I haven’t listened to a Talksport phone-in in ages.