2018 FIFA World Cup (Official Thread)

[AKAK]

So, are they celebrating in the Barberton chicken houses? You had Yanks rooting for Brits so were the Serbs rooting for the Croats?

That's some good shit.

 

[ExpatAkronite]

That's some good shit.

The serb fried chicken is a bit meh but I've been trying to replicate Belgrade's paprikash dumplings for 40 years. Tough to find good Slavic food on the west coast. Hmmm. Sunday might call for paprikash and foie gras.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

Well.....ever since the capitalist swine destroyed my beloved Yugoslavia.

Fungo Squiggliović, is that you??

 

[Buckeye513]

Probably will end up pulling for Croatia once the game starts but this is the first major soccer final in a while where I wouldn't mind either winning.

Barring a sending off or more PKs I just can't see Croatia taking it. Unless France totally shuts it down like they did against Belgium this should probably be a two-goal game.

 

[mendensa]

I think all the extra time and the bumps and bruises that have mounted for Croatia in the last few matches finally catches up with them today. Croatia's midfield is really, really good, but i don't see their back line being able to hold off France for less than 2 goals. i see a 2-0 or 2-1 game going to France. Hopefully it doesn't come down to PK's.

 

[Dee-Liem]

I agree with the previous posts. It's going to get interesting in terms of the fatigue factor (if any) for Croatia.

One less day of rest along with a full 90 minutes more playing time than France.

 

[OHSportsFan]

This is some 6th tier bowl game kind of terrible in the 3rd place game. Historically been more open, this is awful.

Belgium has had a ton of chances but seem content to dick around with the ball in the box.

 

[OHSportsFan]

I will miss watching this Belgium counter attack. Pure ecstasy.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Hazard, smooth operator. His outside foot touches are some of the best.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Well, I get to cash one more time with Belgium- Belgium -0.5 (+121) and Belgium scores both halves (+185). What a run for me (them). Thank you for the monies, good football and waffles.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Well, I get to cash one more time with Belgium- Belgium -0.5 (+121) and Belgium scores both halves (+185). What a run for me (them). Thank you for the monies, good football and waffles.

A moment of legit, degenerate sadness that I can't bet on them any more. Will drink a Stella today in their honor.

 

[Dee-Liem]

Honest question: Does Lukaku score against half-decent teams?

I don't think he did it in this World Cup and his goal record in the Premier League against Top 6 sides is well documented.

 

[Dee-Liem]

Out of curiosity, I just looked at the past champions of the last 10 World Cups.

2-of-10 champions had an entire roster of players from one single league (both times it was Italy in 1982 and 2006).

Both France and Croatia have players from multiple leagues.

 

[OSU_D/]

Allez les Blues!

America's oldest ally

 

[OHSportsFan]

Allez les Blues!

America's oldest ally

Agree. Feel like I’m supposed to hate France for some reason (being French?). But I like this team a lot and history aligns us more than we like to admit.