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NFT: 2018 World Cup Final - France vs Croatia

Big Rick in FL : 7/15/2018 9:30 am
David vs Goliath. France is the far superior team talent wise, but Croatia has the bigger heart. Three straight extra time games for Croatia. It hasn't taken a toll on them yet. They don't seem to get tired, but their injury report this week has been pretty rough.

Who you guys got today? How about the Golden Ball & Golden Glove?

My head says France. My heart wants Croatia. I don't see how they pull it off though. With the way the French defense has played Croatia might be lucky to score 1 goal.

Golden Ball I'm going with Luka. I think he's been by far the best player of the tournament. If not him I think N'Golo Kante should win it, but I can't see FIFA allowing a DM to win it. So if it isn't Modric I'm going with Mbappe.

Golden Glove is a little bit tougher. Courtois has been the best GK of the tournament, but his team came in 3rd place. Hugo Lloris has played very well, but due to the defense in front of him he's had a lot easier tournament then Courtois, Pickford & Subasic. If France win I think Lloris wins the award. If Croatia win I think Courtois will win it.

Final predictions
France 2 Croatia 0
Golden Ball - Modric
Golden Glove - Lloris
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Mbappe! 4-1 France  
dpinzow : 7/15/2018 12:23 pm : link
That'll just about do it
RE: Kyle must be smiling  
Kyle in NY : 7/15/2018 12:24 pm : link
In comment 14013559 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
was gonna say before coming to 'puter to post.... (:

He has had a great tournament and up until this moment, in ways that
would not necessarily have been expected to stand out


I don’t often get em right, but Pogba and France have made me look good in this tourney.

And Mbappe fittingly to put it away! Not long before that kid is the best attacker in the world. Hell, he might already be
Adios  
XBRONX : 7/15/2018 12:25 pm : link
Croatia
WTF Lloris? He went to the Karius school of goalkeeping  
dpinzow : 7/15/2018 12:27 pm : link
...
Shame this one’s turning into a rout  
mfsd : 7/15/2018 12:27 pm : link
been an exciting tourney
Mbappe  
10thAve : 7/15/2018 12:27 pm : link
Reminds me of Odell Beckham. He just has another gear that most others do not.

And now a gift from Lloris for Croatia.
Gotta keep people from changing the channel, I guess.  
Mad Mike : 7/15/2018 12:28 pm : link
Ouch.
Alright then  
Kyle in NY : 7/15/2018 12:28 pm : link
Not over yet. What a crazy final
This game has been very sloppy  
JoeyBigBlue : 7/15/2018 12:30 pm : link
For a Final.
Gruesome  
AcidTest : 7/15/2018 12:34 pm : link
error by Lloris, but Croatia has collapsed defensively. Pogba and Mbappe have been terrific. The PK was the correct call. Got to love the idiots who run onto the field when games are being played.
Croatia hanging tough  
Eman11 : 7/15/2018 12:34 pm : link
I'd love to see them get one more before the 80 minute mark and make the last 10 minutes as wild as can be.
RE: Croatia hanging tough  
mfsd : 7/15/2018 12:40 pm : link
In comment 14013577 Eman11 said:
Quote:
I'd love to see them get one more before the 80 minute mark and make the last 10 minutes as wild as can be.


They’ve had their chances, France’s defense holding so far
RE: Gruesome  
chopperhatch : 7/15/2018 12:48 pm : link
In comment 14013576 AcidTest said:
Quote:
error by Lloris, but Croatia has collapsed defensively. Pogba and Mbappe have been terrific. The PK was the correct call. Got to love the idiots who run onto the field when games are being played.


They were all in uniform. Military? Do they wimd up in gulag?

Where is Fatman to spell this out for us from a Russian standpoint?
Well done by the French  
Kyle in NY : 7/15/2018 12:56 pm : link
Fully deserved

Such a wonderful tournament all around, a pleasure to watch
We talked about Modric and Mbappe  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/15/2018 1:02 pm : link
But man was Varane awesome in the tournament.
Congrats to Franca.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 7/15/2018 1:04 pm : link
I was pulling for Croatia, but the better team won. A great World Cup. It sucks we gotta wait until 2022 for the next one, but se la vie.
RE: We talked about Modric and Mbappe  
Big Rick in FL : 7/15/2018 1:12 pm : link
In comment 14013607 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
But man was Varane awesome in the tournament.


The last year I think he's solidified himself as the best CB in the World. He's awesome and he just turned 25. He will be Madrid's captain one day.

Hopefully soon all 3 of those guys are playing for Madrid.
Congrats to France,  
section125 : 7/15/2018 1:33 pm : link
young team that gelled early.
What am i going to do after the final TotallyFootballShow pod?  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/15/2018 1:35 pm : link
Watch baseball? BBI needs to get some pods up fast!
Varane, Mbappe, Cold Turkey  
ColHowPepper : 7/15/2018 1:44 pm : link
just Wiki'd him:

- 6'3", he doesn't look that big but he plays bigger
- dad from Martinique
- turned professional at 17 (Lens, FR league) and w/i a year transfer to RM
- competitive appearances at 18, and by 19-20 years old a virtual starter and by 20 had displaced Pepe and was voted as one of the outstanding foreign born 11s for RM

It's a pity Mbappe found his dark side late in the match v Belgium, where he flopped and time wasted--was one black mark in an otherwise very impressive tournament. Though not close to Pogba's level in two-way play, he tracked back often to MF and his defensive third to make plays. Hope he keeps his head straight for country, for Club. Neymar who?

It's going to be some pretty serious withdrawal symptoms the next few weeks w/o WC. Guess I'll try to play a tiny bit of catch-up to Jon and begin watching more MLS
Overall..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/15/2018 1:52 pm : link
an excellent World Cup. I really didn't believe in France, but they proved their excellence.

Now, my focus shifts to how the US will qualify for 2022 and compete in the shitshow of Qatar.

What this tourney put a highlight on was the importance of strong central defenders, backs on the wings who could stretch a D and send in crosses, and steady, creative play from the midfield. Then finishing on set pieces.

We'll need to have a steady midfielder to be able to get Pulisic scoring chances and wings that can serve up quality balls in the box.
.  
Del Shofner : 7/15/2018 2:12 pm : link
In comment 14013631 FatMan in Charlotte said:
Quote:

We'll need to have a steady midfielder to be able to get Pulisic scoring chances and wings that can serve up quality balls in the box.


We'll need a coach too.
RE: Overall..  
Jon in NYC : 7/15/2018 2:12 pm : link
In comment 14013631 FatMan in Charlotte said:
Quote:
an excellent World Cup. I really didn't believe in France, but they proved their excellence.

Now, my focus shifts to how the US will qualify for 2022 and compete in the shitshow of Qatar.

What this tourney put a highlight on was the importance of strong central defenders, backs on the wings who could stretch a D and send in crosses, and steady, creative play from the midfield. Then finishing on set pieces.

We'll need to have a steady midfielder to be able to get Pulisic scoring chances and wings that can serve up quality balls in the box.


Im an external sports optimist, even with the Knicks, but there's reason to believe the USMNT is in great hands moving forward if they can get the coach right.

Pulisic, McKennie, Brooks, Miazga, Steffen, Yedlin, Adams, Sargent.

That's an amazing core to have, with Brooks/Yedlin being the "vets" at a whopping 25 years old.

Then factor in guys like Saief, Wood, Acosta, CCV, Trapp, Delgado, etc, and you are working with a really solid squad.
I like the young blood..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/15/2018 2:20 pm : link
we have for USMNT, but we still need to see some of the pieces come together, as well as ColHow's comment about needing a coach.

What I feel is that we've trading recent strengths at GK and central midfielder to places where those are now question marks. And a lot of the young core is still unproven.

Brooks, Yedlin, Pulisic and Wood all give a lot of hope, but I still don't know if we're stronger than we were 10 years ago with Dempsey, Howard, Donovan and Bradley.

Still lots of question marks and development that has to happen.
Sorry..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/15/2018 2:20 pm : link
meant Del's point about needing a coach
...  
ColHowPepper : 7/15/2018 3:24 pm : link
good names, Jon, though my strongest reservation would be Brooks: size and presence in the PA, yes, I'm just not sure he has the movement to be a consistent player at the int'l level.

FatManinCharlotte: good summary of what USMNT needs, like all the critical elements. Our back 4 has long been in search of an identity
after Klinsmann gutted the incumbents, especially the two CDs, where it's been more or less of a shitshow. Yedlin seems set at outside, and I think it's doable. That steady, creative midfield you mention, I think that's going to be the toughest challenge, the smarts, experience, and football intuition to knit backs, MF, and forwards...haven't seen that in a long time.
RE: ...  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/15/2018 5:39 pm : link
In comment 14013709 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
good names, Jon, though my strongest reservation would be Brooks: size and presence in the PA, yes, I'm just not sure he has the movement to be a consistent player at the int'l level.

FatManinCharlotte: good summary of what USMNT needs, like all the critical elements. Our back 4 has long been in search of an identity
after Klinsmann gutted the incumbents, especially the two CDs, where it's been more or less of a shitshow. Yedlin seems set at outside, and I think it's doable. That steady, creative midfield you mention, I think that's going to be the toughest challenge, the smarts, experience, and football intuition to knit backs, MF, and forwards...haven't seen that in a long time.


Agreed with the Colonel in that the US needs to reestablish its spine. Last two French winners were not built on attack but on world-class CB pairings (Desailly/Blanc & Vrane/Umtiti) and CM (Deschamps/Zidane and Pogba/Kante). with that you can cover for so-so goalies like Barthez and Lloris and wasteful forwards like Giroud.
Croatia  
QUAN305 : 7/15/2018 6:03 pm : link
Had a real nice run! Tip of the that
RE: RE: ...  
dpinzow : 7/15/2018 6:10 pm : link
In comment 14013821 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
In comment 14013709 ColHowPepper said:


Quote:


good names, Jon, though my strongest reservation would be Brooks: size and presence in the PA, yes, I'm just not sure he has the movement to be a consistent player at the int'l level.

FatManinCharlotte: good summary of what USMNT needs, like all the critical elements. Our back 4 has long been in search of an identity
after Klinsmann gutted the incumbents, especially the two CDs, where it's been more or less of a shitshow. Yedlin seems set at outside, and I think it's doable. That steady, creative midfield you mention, I think that's going to be the toughest challenge, the smarts, experience, and football intuition to knit backs, MF, and forwards...haven't seen that in a long time.



Agreed with the Colonel in that the US needs to reestablish its spine. Last two French winners were not built on attack but on world-class CB pairings (Desailly/Blanc & Vrane/Umtiti) and CM (Deschamps/Zidane and Pogba/Kante). with that you can cover for so-so goalies like Barthez and Lloris and wasteful forwards like Giroud.


Barthez was not a so-so keeper (and neither is Hugo Lloris) but everything else is pretty much true
US team needs to find its sideline leader and then  
Jimmy Googs : 7/15/2018 6:25 pm : link
start developing aggressive play from its midfielders to set up attacks that can both strategic but also impulsive if the situation allows.

Build up the team thru offensive play...
Rooted for Croatia  
10thAve : 7/15/2018 6:29 pm : link
but don’t mind France winning. They’re a really good team. I also liked the sportsmanship Deschamps showed with the Croatia team after it ended.

This sucks, I’m going to go through World Cup withdrawal now. Will try to pay more attention to MLS for my soccer fix. Also have a trip planned to Amsterdam and Belgium in October and will try to find a match there.
2 centuries late  
Jim in Fairfax : 7/15/2018 7:48 pm : link
But the French finally triumph in Moscow.
Croatia - a couple of thoughts.  
Del Shofner : 7/15/2018 8:59 pm : link
They played very well in the field. I don't think their goalkeeper is world class, though. Goals 3 and 4 for France, while they would have been very good saves if made, the keeper was flat-footed on, and didn't come close.

That said - the guys on this Croatia team will be heroes in that country for generations for what they did, even though they lost in the final, and good for them.
RE: Croatia - a couple of thoughts.  
dpinzow : 7/15/2018 9:12 pm : link
In comment 14013871 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
They played very well in the field. I don't think their goalkeeper is world class, though. Goals 3 and 4 for France, while they would have been very good saves if made, the keeper was flat-footed on, and didn't come close.

That said - the guys on this Croatia team will be heroes in that country for generations for what they did, even though they lost in the final, and good for them.


Subasic isn't really at fault for the third goal. He never saw that shot as there were about a half-dozen players in front of him. Once he saw it the ball was going into the net
USMNT  
Rick in Dallas : 7/16/2018 6:44 am : link
After watching World Cup teams, USMNT has a long way to go to
compete at this high international level. Back 4 defense at this time is very weak.Goalie at one time a USMNT strength very unsettled and midfielders are also weak.
Pulisic is an outstanding international player.
The hiring of the next USMNT coach is a very important next move to start our rebuild.
It will be a long hard road back to qualify for 2022 IMHO.






I don't think..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/16/2018 8:08 am : link
qualifying for the next World Cup will be an issue.

We are coming off of the Klinsmann Era where you had player's confidences shaken, not knowing where they would play or what their roles would be, which resulted in a near mutiny.

It was the worst-case scenario for the US.

I have a very high degree of certainty we will qualify for the World Cup. what I'm very much uncertain about is how competitive we'll be. Mexico was a very strong side and they were out in the round of 16, a threshold that has become our absolute ceiling in recent years.
wow  
giantfan2000 : 7/16/2018 5:35 pm : link
I am super excited for next World Cup

US soccer have a ton of next generation talent coming up

Christian Pulisic
Weston McKennie
Tyler Adams
Josh Sargent
Tim Weah

- they have grown up with a US professional soccer league and are not intimidated by players from rest of the world and do not have imposter syndrome that previous players from US have had.
Don't fool..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/16/2018 6:45 pm : link
yourself. For most of the world, the MLS is only considered a place to earn a final paycheck.

I don't know about "imposter syndrome", but I'm a big proponent of having US players get significant experience abroad.

I don't think growing up with the MLS here has any impact on the psyche of players when they face Int'l opponents
Start with the Gold Cup next yer  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/17/2018 8:39 am : link
Show progress there, then worry about the World Cup. Playing in the 2019 Copa America would've been nice.

Liverpool making world record bid for Alisson  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/17/2018 10:56 am : link
62 million pounds / 70 million Euro.
RE: Liverpool making world record bid for Alisson  
Jon in NYC : 7/17/2018 10:56 am : link
In comment 14014785 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
62 million pounds / 70 million Euro.


Is that the record for a goalkeeper?
That's..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/17/2018 10:59 am : link
ridiculous. I would never throw that much money at a GK, especially one that isn't what I would say is in the top 10
I think he's absolutely top 10  
Kyle in NY : 7/17/2018 11:14 am : link
starts for Brazil over Ederson, who was one of the best in the Premier League.

Goal keeping cost Liverpool the Champions League Final and is a major factor impacting their chase of the Premier League this season. It is crazy money, but I get it.
One could..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/17/2018 11:23 am : link
question if he should start over Ederson though.
Regardless  
Kyle in NY : 7/17/2018 1:19 pm : link
he's an enormous upgrade over what they've got
Off the wall question  
mrbiswas : 7/17/2018 1:33 pm : link
but since this is a World Cup thread, I am curious if people remember Belgium's first goal against Japan. That was the knockout game where Japan scored 2 quick goals in the second half and Belgium came back to win, 3-2, in injury time. Belgium scored its first goal on a header from the side of the goal that looked like a pop fly. It slowly looped into the far corner while the goalie desparately leaped to try to make the save. I was wondering if the Belgian forward even intended to shoot. What do people think? It had to be the craziest goal of the tournament.
RE: Off the wall question  
Gmen1982 : 7/17/2018 1:45 pm : link
In comment 14014944 mrbiswas said:
Quote:
but since this is a World Cup thread, I am curious if people remember Belgium's first goal against Japan. That was the knockout game where Japan scored 2 quick goals in the second half and Belgium came back to win, 3-2, in injury time. Belgium scored its first goal on a header from the side of the goal that looked like a pop fly. It slowly looped into the far corner while the goalie desparately leaped to try to make the save. I was wondering if the Belgian forward even intended to shoot. What do people think? It had to be the craziest goal of the tournament.


Most likely was just trying to serve it back into the box. Sometimes the best hots are mis-hit crosses/services into he box
RE: RE: Liverpool making world record bid for Alisson  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/18/2018 8:08 am : link
In comment 14014787 Jon in NYC said:
Quote:
In comment 14014785 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:


Quote:


62 million pounds / 70 million Euro.



Is that the record for a goalkeeper?


According to the Guardian, the bid - now improved to around 75M EUR, is the record. Roma will make something like a 67M EUR profit. I didn't even realize until last week that they sold Naingolaan to Inter. That's going to be 110M Euros in transfer money.
RE: RE: RE: Liverpool making world record bid for Alisson  
dpinzow : 7/18/2018 10:05 am : link
In comment 14015252 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
In comment 14014787 Jon in NYC said:


Quote:


In comment 14014785 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:


Quote:


62 million pounds / 70 million Euro.



Is that the record for a goalkeeper?



According to the Guardian, the bid - now improved to around 75M EUR, is the record. Roma will make something like a 67M EUR profit. I didn't even realize until last week that they sold Naingolaan to Inter. That's going to be 110M Euros in transfer money.


The amazing thing is Liverpool is still spending within their means. All these transfers (Keita, Fabinho, Shaqiri, now Alisson) are basically financed by Coutinho + Sakho + CL prize money. They could also sell Origi or Sturridge and have enough to get Fekir from Lyon while still largely balancing their books
Alisson isn't worth that much  
Go Terps : 7/18/2018 11:52 am : link
Roma is a team worth keeping an eye on. They've got Monchi making the decisions over there now, and he's as good as there is at understanding value and assembling teams. They've already made very interesting acquisitions this summer.
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