lol - I posted something similar after the last Croatia win. Hey - I'm sure he's happy about it, and that's great. Let's just hope he was watching somewhere he doesn't need to drive home from.
I really wanted England to win. Croatia deserve it but I have no interest in watching them in the final to be honest. Wanted the best story and that was France v England. Would have been a really fun event on Sunday in the US where England are incredibly popular.
I'm glad Croatia won and I hope they win on Sunday. Â
In my lifetime. This tournament broke beautifully for them and they were up 1-0 in the sixth minute and couldn’t get the job done. Will never have a chance like that again.
Generally speaking they are not good enough to consistently compete with the best countries. Need to seize a chance like that when it comes.
My countrymen did it! Well 1/4 of my countrymen. I'm on the Croatian bandwagon and proud of it. My mom asked me to root since the US and my other 3 background, Cuba, Ireland and Italy were all out. Her mom was 100% Croatian so we're all a 'ic during this tournament.
I think we have to give credit where credit is due Â
Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic have been been world-class players for a long time - even Perisic. They knew how to win - England's players are still growing into their stardom.
Or you can also say when your top players are from Spurs... just kidding.
Not the majority maybe, but the “very serious” US national team fans are a strange bunch. I think international soccer as a rule is not that serious of a thing, it’s supposed to be fun. Of course you should be invested in the results and enjoy it but to viscerally HATE other teams is weird to me in the context of international soccer. Games are so infrequent and the whole thing is such a carnival atmosphere I genuinely don’t really understand hating another team.
Particularly think about this with regards to Mexico, who many “very serious” US soccer fans HATE. But I always root for Mexico in these tournaments. They are our neighbors, I interact with Mexicans every day of my life, our cultures are intertwined. I like seeing them do well.
Same thing applies to anyone who dares to root for a country other than the US though.
As an objective viewer it's probably been my favorite ever. Part of that comes from the much improved general coverage of it. Some of the podcasts (Totally Football Show, Guardian's World Cup Daily, Grant Wahl's Planet Futbol, Graham Hunter's Big Interview) and YouTube channels (Guillem Balague, BBC coverage) have all really added to the experience of following the tournament.
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
Oscar, rivalry is only a part of the feelings with Mexico. Â
Hate is probably a bit strong, but I have a very strong dislike for the Mexico team. Rivalry is certainly a part of it. The bigger part, in my case, is their absolutely horrible fan base. Have you ever been to a match with Mexican fans? They make Eagles fans look tame. Obnoxious and vulgar.
As an objective viewer it's probably been my favorite ever. Part of that comes from the much improved general coverage of it. Some of the podcasts (Totally Football Show, Guardian's World Cup Daily, Grant Wahl's Planet Futbol, Graham Hunter's Big Interview) and YouTube channels (Guillem Balague, BBC coverage) have all really added to the experience of following the tournament.
I completely agree with this sentiment. I have shared this WC with my kid, watching games and the sticker album collection, as well as the all of media. I basically listened to the Totally Football Show every morning on my commute and on the weekends and it was a great journey - I even appreciated Fox's World Cup Tonight for what it was. As Terps points out, there was so much good content that you couldn't possibly interact with it all.
Now if only Greece could've drawn Denmark or Sweden instead of Croatia ....
Bubble guys for me were Courtois, Lloris, Umtiti, Mina, Hazard, Perisic, and Kane.
The big themes for me have been:
1. Obviously set pieces are more important than ever. This may speak to how organized teams are, and how that makes it harder to score from open play.
2. The fullbacks have, with few exceptions, had little impact on this tournament. Part of that was down to injuries to Alves and Marcelo, as well as Spain's general inability to function with Alba, but I wonder if that's indicative of something deeper on a tactical level.
3. The re-emergence of the midfield destroyer, embodied of course by Kante (who I would name as player of the tournament).
4. The two giants that base their game on possession, Spain and Germany, need to come up with a way to overcome teams that play with 5 man defenses and generally park the bus. I don't think either country should overhaul what they do, but I think some fresh ideas are needed.
I've said that to myself about a hundred times the last month. I also love the usage of movie quotes from Hunt for Red October, Rocky IV, and the like. The other day they used a clip of the Soviet boxing rep in Drago's camp deriding how our boxing was indicative of how our decrepit society was falling apart or some shit - I laughed my ass off.
I just subscribed to the Totally Football League show too. I've taken to following Forest Green Rovers (mainly because of FIFA), and I'm hoping it's to the same standard.
I've said that to myself about a hundred times the last month. I also love the usage of movie quotes from Hunt for Red October, Rocky IV, and the like. The other day they used a clip of the Soviet boxing rep in Drago's camp deriding how our boxing was indicative of how our decrepit society was falling apart or some shit - I laughed my ass off.
I just subscribed to the Totally Football League show too. I've taken to following Forest Green Rovers (mainly because of FIFA), and I'm hoping it's to the same standard.
I listen regularly to Golazzo - their Serie A podcast with Jimbo, Horncastle and Gabriele Marcotti. Really fun because it splits between diving into figures and teams of the past (from Batigol to 90 Parma) and covering the league. In fact they announced they are doing a special Golazzo regarding Ronaldo going to Juventus (Marcotti just wrote a lengthy piece about it for ESPN).
As an objective viewer it's probably been my favorite ever. Part of that comes from the much improved general coverage of it. Some of the podcasts (Totally Football Show, Guardian's World Cup Daily, Grant Wahl's Planet Futbol, Graham Hunter's Big Interview) and YouTube channels (Guillem Balague, BBC coverage) have all really added to the experience of following the tournament.
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
I think the relevant comparison would be to a run by South Korea in 2002. I could see the U.S. making the WC in that fashion.
This is a terrific Croatia team, with a midfield that likely is the best in the world or at least top three. We do not have a single midfielder who is close to a Rakitic, let alone Modric.
We don't have a Modric, but many teams have gone far with lesser players. We don't have a Kroos either, but he had his lunch handed to him by LAFC's Carlos Vela in the first match.
My point is simply that it can be done. We have to get our shit together first, and IMO it is decidedly NOT together.
Croatia has been advancing hasn't been because of Modric or Rakitic though. It's because they're been organized and take their opportunities well. In other words, they exact opposite of the US over the past few years.
Croatia has been advancing hasn't been because of Modric or Rakitic though. It's because they're been organized and take their opportunities well. In other words, they exact opposite of the US over the past few years.
I am not contesting the virtues of organization and opportunism. I entirely agree with you and Terps that the U.S. has underachieved principally because they have lacked those things. Our absence from the WC was not due to a lack of talent.
I'm making two claims instead:
1. Croatia's talent level is being underrated. Their midfield quality has had a LOT to do with their advancing this far.
2. We'd obviously (and Terps has noted this) need a good bit of luck in addition to organization and identity to reach the semis. Without these things I think we're squarely a round of 16 to quarterfinal (occasionally) level team.
I will say that I have come to so enjoy and appreciate the play of Hazard and DeBruyne (and, ok, Lukaku too) together, so attuned to reading each other's runs, feints, and passes, their hell for leather attacking verve on counters, that it seems like they have played together always and should play together always, for Club as well as for country (even if the former is obviously not the case).
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
RE: RE: Keeping the thread open for 3rd place game Â
I will say that I have come to so enjoy and appreciate the play of Hazard and DeBruyne (and, ok, Lukaku too) together, so attuned to reading each other's runs, feints, and passes, their hell for leather attacking verve on counters, that it seems like they have played together always and should play together always, for Club as well as for country (even if the former is obviously not the case).
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
At one time or another all three were Chelsea players
Doesn't seem accurate. They were pushing forward as much as earlier.
Their forwardsarent outrunning anyone.
They had some good albums.
That's a joke right?
Like...ever.
lol - I posted something similar after the last Croatia win. Hey - I'm sure he's happy about it, and that's great. Let's just hope he was watching somewhere he doesn't need to drive home from.
Generally speaking they are not good enough to consistently compete with the best countries. Need to seize a chance like that when it comes.
Or you can also say when your top players are from Spurs... just kidding.
Particularly think about this with regards to Mexico, who many “very serious” US soccer fans HATE. But I always root for Mexico in these tournaments. They are our neighbors, I interact with Mexicans every day of my life, our cultures are intertwined. I like seeing them do well.
Same thing applies to anyone who dares to root for a country other than the US though.
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
I completely agree with this sentiment. I have shared this WC with my kid, watching games and the sticker album collection, as well as the all of media. I basically listened to the Totally Football Show every morning on my commute and on the weekends and it was a great journey - I even appreciated Fox's World Cup Tonight for what it was. As Terps points out, there was so much good content that you couldn't possibly interact with it all.
Now if only Greece could've drawn Denmark or Sweden instead of Croatia ....
-----------------Pickford
-Trippier--Varane--Godin--Laxalt
------------------Kante
-Mbappe-----Modric-----Cheryshev
------------------Lukaku
Bubble guys for me were Courtois, Lloris, Umtiti, Mina, Hazard, Perisic, and Kane.
The big themes for me have been:
1. Obviously set pieces are more important than ever. This may speak to how organized teams are, and how that makes it harder to score from open play.
2. The fullbacks have, with few exceptions, had little impact on this tournament. Part of that was down to injuries to Alves and Marcelo, as well as Spain's general inability to function with Alba, but I wonder if that's indicative of something deeper on a tactical level.
3. The re-emergence of the midfield destroyer, embodied of course by Kante (who I would name as player of the tournament).
4. The two giants that base their game on possession, Spain and Germany, need to come up with a way to overcome teams that play with 5 man defenses and generally park the bus. I don't think either country should overhaul what they do, but I think some fresh ideas are needed.
Unbelievable, Unbelievable This!
I just subscribed to the Totally Football League show too. I've taken to following Forest Green Rovers (mainly because of FIFA), and I'm hoping it's to the same standard.
I just subscribed to the Totally Football League show too. I've taken to following Forest Green Rovers (mainly because of FIFA), and I'm hoping it's to the same standard.
I listen regularly to Golazzo - their Serie A podcast with Jimbo, Horncastle and Gabriele Marcotti. Really fun because it splits between diving into figures and teams of the past (from Batigol to 90 Parma) and covering the league. In fact they announced they are doing a special Golazzo regarding Ronaldo going to Juventus (Marcotti just wrote a lengthy piece about it for ESPN).
Seems like I do the same thing every year for a team I'm trying to move up the ranks.
Honestly though, it improves my knowledge of the game and of International soccer a lot more than the average person.
Link - ( New Window )
On the field the margins are finer than they've ever been. For us USMNT fans - Croatia is NOT a long time established soccer power. They participated in their first tournament in 1996 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. They also entered this particular tournament under an enormous amount of turmoil that could legitimately see Luka Modric go to prison on perjury charges. My point is that if you pick the right players, are well organized, and get a couple breaks this level of success is possible. If Croatia can come out of these politically, culturally, and athletically revulsive 25 years with a World Cup semifinal appearance in '98 and a final appearance in 2018 - it isn't beyond the US either. It can be done.
I think the relevant comparison would be to a run by South Korea in 2002. I could see the U.S. making the WC in that fashion.
This is a terrific Croatia team, with a midfield that likely is the best in the world or at least top three. We do not have a single midfielder who is close to a Rakitic, let alone Modric.
My point is simply that it can be done. We have to get our shit together first, and IMO it is decidedly NOT together.
I am not contesting the virtues of organization and opportunism. I entirely agree with you and Terps that the U.S. has underachieved principally because they have lacked those things. Our absence from the WC was not due to a lack of talent.
I'm making two claims instead:
1. Croatia's talent level is being underrated. Their midfield quality has had a LOT to do with their advancing this far.
2. We'd obviously (and Terps has noted this) need a good bit of luck in addition to organization and identity to reach the semis. Without these things I think we're squarely a round of 16 to quarterfinal (occasionally) level team.
Article from Michael Cox on the return of the traditional CF as reflected through Giroud and Mandzukic.
Link - ( New Window )
Article from Michael Cox on the return of the traditional CF as reflected through Giroud and Mandzukic. Link - ( New Window )
Do not stop there. Bring back the traditional sweeper or "libero." Best position for a defender who was bold and creative.
Fine but 5 of the 6 goals were against Tunisia and lowly Panama. Kind of a disappearing act in the bigger games.
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
One of the many joys of watching this WC.
At one time or another all three were Chelsea players