World Cup Discussion Thread - Day 1 (14 June)

[TheChosenOne]

The first match is always such a crap one. I know often the hosts are crappy teams who didn’t have to qualify (and are seeded) against Group Stage fodder, but it’s still hard to get excited about Russia v Saudi Arabia!

Tomorrow looks a lot better though and Saturday is amazing - 4 matches all one after the other! Luckily I arranged the day out with some mates months ago before the Mrs had any idea what it was for!

I remember the England vs Uruguay tie back in July 1966 as if it was yesterday almost 52 years ago !

 

[yanno]

Bilic was bang on about VAR. Yes it has issues but given the stakes in world cup football the most important thing is fairness.

Yes, but oh the irony.

If there'd been VAR in the 1998 World Cup, Bilic would have received a yellow card for a pathetic dive and simulation in the Croatia vs France semi, and Laurent Blanc would have played in the WC Final instead of being sent off.

 

[Gbspurs]

Yes, but oh the irony.

If there'd been VAR in the 1998 World Cup, Bilic would have received a yellow card for a pathetic dive and simulation, and Laurent Blanc would have played in the WC Final instead of being sent off.

I bet they still would have sent Blanc off tbh.

 

[rez9000]

Fitting that the first game between two utterly dire teams is being covered by ITV's equally dire coverage. That opening sequence is pisspoor. Bit disappointed that Ian Wright is on the ITV punditry team. Would have liked him to be on the Beeb's...

 

[bomberH]

Is Robbie Williams doing the opening ceremony because Angels has only just been released over there?

 

[tiger666]

Mute for the next 10 minutes then.

 

[Gbspurs]

Robbie Williams is a bit random. I was hoping for t.A.T.u

Edit: that's more like it.

Edit 2: never mind he is back.

 

[Danners9]

Big fan of an open air Eurovision.

 

[Shadydan]

@tiger666 Are you watching this epic performance

 

[tiger666]

@tiger666 Are you watching this epic performance

Just realised I need a 10 minute dump.

 

[bomberH]

He’s obviously very popular over there. The fans know the words!

But it’s basically a Robbie Williams concert, which is a bit weird for a World Cup opening ceremony in Russia.

 

[Shadydan]

Come on, this guy is a legend, you can't not like him

 

[rez9000]

I'm sorry, an operatic delivery of 'Angels'???

 

[bomberH]

He looks like he’s slowly turning into Morrisey.

 

[bomberH]

100% would.

And the opera bird.

 

[rez9000]

Christ, is that Ronaldo??? He's fatter than I am!

 

[tiger666]

How does this represent Russia? I want drunk peasants hurling potatoes at each other.

 

[werty]

*waves lighter in the air*

 

[Marty]

I have no idea a) why Robbie Williams is performing when surely most host nations want to showcase their own talent in ceremonies like this, and b) why on earth is it Angels and not something more upbeat?

 

[tiger666]

Right, that shits over. Come on Saudi Arabia.