World Cup Elimination Sunday Open Thread

We arrive at Day 2 of the Knockout Stage with France and Uruguay safely through to the Quarterfinals.  Who will join them today?

LET’S WATCH!

Game The First

Spain v Russia

7 AM Pacific, Luzhniki Stadium,  Moscow

Balls: On paper,  this should be a breeze for Spain to advance. Russia is just not that talented and showed it in an embarrassing loss to Uruguay. Spain has not hit its stride yet and may start scaring people after this one.

Predicción: España 3 Rusia 0

Hippo: Hopefully, this is kind of an ass whoopin, and probably will be.  That said, Spain has underwhelmed, and FIFA will want to tickle the host’s balls a little bit, because that’s how FIFA roll.

Predicción: Spain limps on, 2-1.

Litre_Cola: Ok, enough dicking around. Spain will pass around these guys and not be intimidated in the least with having to play in Russia. Russia was the lowest ranked team coming in. Russia had their moment in the sun winning those 2 games. They are done. If they wouldn’t mind taking out Ramos while they are busy getting passed around that would be just great.

Predicción: España 4 – 1 Russiya It has been fun Russia, but goodbye. When do we hear about the PED tests?

Wakezilla: Like most favorites in this tournament, Spain struggled in the group stage, but ultimately managed to clinch first.  Most importantly for Spain, is that Costa and Isco are starting to play well. If they can build on their group stage performances, Spain is going to be a scary team to play. Moreover, what a lot of people are not talking about right now is the fact that while David de Gea gave up a softy that cost Spain three points against Portugal, he has been perfectly cromulent the rest of the way. What is concerning for Spain, however, is their defense. I just watched the Spain/Morocco highlights and holy shit, they made a lot of costly turnovers and De Gea bailed them out. Neither of the two goals he gave up were his fault. While Russia aren’t known for their deadly strikers, if Spain keeps turning the ball over, Golovin or Cheryshev will eventually burn them.

As for Russia, they’re just happy to be in the round of 16. They have home field advantage and if what we saw with Ronaldo is any indication, Russian fans are likely going to be hanging outside of Spain’s hotel, making lots of noise to ensure they don’t get a lot of sleep.

Predicción: As we saw yesterday, we’re at the phase of the tournament where things get a little more predictable. Russia having home field advantage will likely keep this game close. Factor in Golovin now expected to sign with Chelski and I suspect this will be a spirited affair. However, Spain is too talented and this is a type of game that could really propel them into finding their top form. In a score that will flatter the Rooskies, Spain will win 2-1. Lets say Isco and Costa will score for Spain, while Cheryshev capitalizes on a Spanish turnover.

 

Game The Second

Croatia v Denmark

11 AM Pacific,  Nizhny Novgorod Stadium,  Nizhny Novgorod

Balls: Of all the teams that could bother the Croatians,  Denmark is one of the most dangerous. That’s not to say the Danes play well or pretty football.  They don’t.

What they do is effectively kill the opposing offense’s creativity and score on the counterattack. Sweden does the same thing and Sweden is also in the Round of 16.

Croatia will need to play an almost perfect game and have a moment or two of genius to overcome the Danes. Ideally,  the Croats will score first and then laugh as the Danes can’t create on offense.

Prediction: This game ends one of two ways: Either a tight and tense 1-0 win for Croatia or a 0-0 tie that goes to penalties in which Denmark goes through.

Hippo: There’s no doubt that Croatia, along with the Waffles, played the most flawless Lesser Footy in the Group stages.  But I am also a yuuuuuuggggge Christian Eriksen fan, and he has elevated this Denmark side significantly.  There’s a combination of precision, creativity, and discipline that is very dangerous – especially if the Murder Checkerboards (h/t Balls, methinks) are caught looking ahead.

Predicción: 1-1 Draw (Denmark advances on PKs)

If only Denmark played a style of lesser footy that was as sexy as their fans.

Wakezilla: On paper, Denmark being unbeaten in their last 16 games is impressive. But the truth is, they’re everything that’s wrong with international lesser footy. They’re unbeaten in 16 because they play—albeit really well—a boring, systematic defensive game. It’s not like they don’t have talented players, because they do (see: Eriksen, Christian). Don’t get me wrong, I love it when non-traditional lesser footy powers have success–just not when they play an “I-rather-watch-paint-dry” boring type of game. Even how they advanced to the round of 16 is boring because they tied 2 games, won one, and scored a whopping 2 goals. In all honesty, Denmark didn’t deserve to beat Peru. Fuck Denmark and their shit lesser footy.

Before the tournament began, I picked Croatia as my darkhorse to win the World Cup. So far, they are the only team that has made me look good. They are a well-balanced team that is currently rolling. They played tougher opponents than Denmark and I think playing Iceland gave them a preview of what to expect from the Danes.

Proricanje: Croatia is one of the most consistent teams in this tournament and have the talent and patience to wait out Denmark’s bullshit defensive system. Consequently, Croatia is going to win an incredibly boring 1-0 match, with Rakitic scoring in the 88th minute.

Litre_Cola: For me this game basically comes down to Eriksen vs Modric. Who can take over the game and run the offense. Both players are adept passers and lethal when given space. I think that this is an even matchup. They have only met 5 times in the past so there is not a history there. I think  that this will be a boring 1st half and then it will open up in the 2nd half.

Forudsigelse: Denmark 1 – Hrvatska 0 the ole Twbs, with 5 of 8 minutes of injury time added on.

Look at these beauties.
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ballsofsteelandfury
Balls somehow lost his bio and didn't realize it. He's now scrambling to write something clever and failing. He likes butts, boobs, most things that start with the letter B, and writing in the Second Person. Geelong, Toluca, Barcelona, and Steelers, in that order.
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Mr. Ayo

That check to FIFA must have been YUUUUGE.

bk109

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEST!

scotchnaut

NYET!

Mr. Ayo

According to that graphic, ESP wins 4-3

scotchnaut

“I Knew It!”

-a psychic

Mr. Ayo

That graphic lied to me!

bk109

Nah, you just read it wrong :p

Spur

Watch both teams miss everything.

Mr. Ayo

Both deserve to lose for this embarrassing display of lesser footed ball.

Fronkenshteen

Unbelievable

scotchnaut

One of these teams would be wise to sub in P.K. Subban right at the end of extra time.

Spur

Refs don’t want polonium-infused tea tomorrow morning

bk109

Bish,please … if they gave that non-penalty, they wouldn’t have lasted 3 minutes in that stadium, let alone till mornin’ tea 😀

Fronkenshteen

Please win this in PK España. Russia will have to play this way against any team.

herodotus450

Tavares to Tronno would be the darkest timeline

scotchnaut

I’d hear the ‘Sploosh’ all the way over here from T.O.

herodotus450

Russia rushin it?

Spur

Folks

scotchnaut

Bone outgrowth.

bk109

Unrelated to the game – show of hands – how many of you lot knew that Nokia are making decent to good phones again? And also WHY NOONE TOLD ME THAT?!

herodotus450

1029 passes!? By one team!?

herodotus450

“(cums)”
-Bill Walsh

scotchnaut

“1,000 passes, only one score.”

-me, first year of university

theeWeeBabySeamus

Jeebus, can’t they just do a shootout and end this already?

Mr. Ayo

Folks, I don’t think he’s talking about penalty kicks.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Hehehehe

scotchnaut

Millions of Russians just peed their pants a little.

theeWeeBabySeamus

I honestly wish both these teams could lose. They both can suck it.
And I need to be drunk before the next match begins.

Mr. Ayo

Slacker. I started at 7am.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Yeah, but that’s 10am to us folks in normal time zone.

Don T

Remember to eat!
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bk109

Mate, you should probably get on with the getting drunk thing, ’cause you’re acting somewhat cunt-y and genocide-y when you’re sober(ish)

theeWeeBabySeamus

I will choose not to respond to this.
But thank you for solidifying my recent decision.

theeWeeBabySeamus

You could have gotten the trifecta if you’d called me racist-y, btw.

Mr. Ayo

Is there stoppage time at the end of extra time?
-Soccer Knowerer

King Hippo

sometimes!

Mr. Ayo

So many times!

theeWeeBabySeamus

I want a big gigantic clock to carry around like the FIFA official has.

scotchnaut

“I can hook you up.”

-Flavor Flav

theeWeeBabySeamus

“Thanks, but I’m good.”

– Brigitte Nielsen

scotchnaut

“Back in the 80’s, maybe.”

-Sylvester Stallone

scotchnaut

Russians unwilling to cross The Thin White Line.

theeWeeBabySeamus

The Politburo does not look happy.

scotchnaut

I thought that was the Gulag commissioners scouting for talent.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Four shots on goal this whole match.

I rest my case.

Mr. Ayo

There’s another one!

theeWeeBabySeamus

Yeah, they’re really piling up now, huh?

theeWeeBabySeamus

OK, I already knew soccer was boring. It’s not as if I’ve been mute on that point recently.

But these assholes are just trying to prove it can be mind numbing. Holy shit.

There should be a guy in a crow’s nest with a rifle, and the next asshole from either side who delays this game should get a head shot. Maybe that’ll motivate these fucknuts.

Fronkenshteen

They’re running the Russians ragged. See the way they’re cramping up? Spain is going to start hammering away here soon now that Russia is starting to get gassed.

theeWeeBabySeamus

They should all be gassed for this performance.
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theeWeeBabySeamus

For the life of me, I will never understand why I’m held to a different standard around here than everyone else.

But, I don’t need to understand.

Later taters.

Don T

That’ll never happen. Nuts shooting people is a US thing. Go take yer gripes to the USMNT.

scotchnaut

I get it now! Brilliant strategy…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba_i6wBatDI

Fronkenshteen

Wait, why did Spain bring on Karl Pilkington?

herodotus450

“I’ll just use me feet hands, they’ll never see it coming.”

scotchnaut

It’s not because he travels well.

scotchnaut

[Russian manager makes another substitution]

“We Will Choke Them With Our Dead!”

Player: [looks up] “Coach?”

Fronkenshteen

Very few fouls in this match. Surprising considering what’s at stake.

bk109

Extended trips to Siberia to the losing side?

litre_cola

Kid was up from 3 to 6 am. Went back to sleep and so did I. Missed the 1st half is it collusioney?

Fronkenshteen

Own goal by Russia. Deserved PK for the equalizer. Amazing atmosphere. Iberian Peninsula may be breached.

bk109

Also, there may or may not be submarines randomly hinting at what the score ought to be by poking their periscopes in Barcelona’s harbour 😀

King Hippo

is terrible match, my prediccion looks pretty good. May take extra time, at this pace.

Fronkenshteen

Hippo haz moneys on Russia here, right?

clint greasewood

Kate Abdo is hot

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theeWeeBabySeamus

You are not wrong.
And that accent is just about perfect.

scotchnaut

True Fact: Her favourite alloy is bronze.

Mr. Ayo

It’s like the female version of ARod

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Fronkenshteen

Holy shit you’re right! Can’t unsee that now forevah!

theeWeeBabySeamus

Dude? Why’d ya have to go and say that?

LemonJello

Late to this par-tay:
Have the two of them ever been seen in the same place at the same time?

scotchnaut

[does some math-ing]

This tilt is twice as good as a tWBS game already!

theeWeeBabySeamus

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herodotus450

Of all the events to record on your shitty camera phone camera, the World Cup. Not like any other footage of the event will survive the years. But you’ll have your phone forever.

Horatio Cornblower

“Plenty of aggression, but not a great deal of penetration”

Are we still talking about soccer here?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Sounds more like bunch of fledgling PUA’s going to the club for a training session.

herodotus450

“What?”
-Louis CK

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

The Spanish defender Pique (artist’s conception):

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herodotus450

“The referee has spotted the hand ball.”
[runs through google translate, Russian to English]
“The referee has been informed that if he doesn’t call a hand ball, his family will get a nice dose of Polonium tea.”

clint greasewood

A little home cooking, an extra scoop of borscht for that ref.

herodotus450

A little extra vodka in the pudding if you know what I mean.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

In the NBA that would be a highly regarded play.

King Hippo

the Rooskie check cleared!

scotchnaut

The Spanish have the ball control of a young Kay Parker.

Horatio Cornblower

Kay Parker is the answer to the question, “What if Rhea Perlman did porn?”

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(yes, I did have to look her up)

theeWeeBabySeamus

I can live with it as long as Danny Devito doesn’t do porn.

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Horatio Cornblower

Oh, good, the fans are doing the wave.

Nuke everything.

scotchnaut

“BATTEN THE HATCHES! WE’RE IN FOR A ROUGH RIDE!”

-Captain of a Polish submarine

Fronkenshteen

“And fasten the screen doors!”

Horatio Cornblower

Russia’s strategy here seems to be to drag this game into the winter and hope the Spanish offense stalls.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Did the Spaniards Naz-i this coming?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Joke’s on them, thanks to climate change winter isn’t a thing anymore.

Horatio Cornblower

Joke’s on them; the Spanish are already stalling.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Both teams appear very motivated here.

Wait, no they don’t.

scotchnaut

It’s like a prom date-they’re feeling each other out.

Horatio Cornblower

Russia is going to win this game, and in two months, in a totally unrelated move, Russia is going to cede Crimea to Spain.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Crimea would actually be a really nice place if not for all of the crime.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Own goal, baby!

King Hippo

so his family will have to pay for the bullet after all?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Did you ever read the Stephen King story “Quitters, Inc.”? They charged him for the electricity they used to shock his wife when he cheated and smoked a cigarette.

King Hippo

I did nae. SOUNDS FAIR!

herodotus450

Ya know how in college basketball when you don’t know which team is which and you have to wait until one team scores to figure it out? That fucking sucks in soccer.

scotchnaut

If a player’s name ends in a ‘v’ or an ‘ich’, it’s most likely a Russkie.

/you’re welcome

herodotus450

Guy on Spain is named Nacho; what happens wheen they play Mexico?

scotchnaut

Complete and utter chaos.

King Hippo

nicely done, fuck off Putins

blaxabbath

So I don’t follow pftc/barstool closely. I understand barstool seems a tad trashy (which makes total sense) and pftc is funnier than any of them by a mile (also makes perfect sense) but — and this is where i am not sure if I have it right — there is a debate about if pftc is like held back by barstool and like should he leave?

Anyways, I saw these responses on a tweet by pftc where he basically looks to be making a joke a thinly veiled sexual harassment joke and it made me laugh

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herodotus450

From my sleuthing it looks like some barstool guy called a barstool girl ugly, and they got a whole lot of content out of it.

blaxabbath

So what’s the deal? Am I supposed to be buying other people cigars when my son is born? Am I supposed to smoke them right there when I have them out? Who all makes the list of getting a cigar? How nice do the cigars need to be?

litre_cola

I did not. It was a 48 hour laboUr and she had to stay in the hospital so I came home and had a reeeaaal expensive bottle of wine and smoked a joint.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[shrugs]

– Monica Lewinsky

Horatio Cornblower

I didn’t do it; I think it’s a throwback to the times when the father made a cameo at the hospital and then was back at work the next day.

That said, some of my friends have done it, and they’re generally novelty cigars with “it’s a boy/girl” written on the wrapper. I suspect they’re pretty low quality stuff.

scotchnaut

We once sold them-they’re cheap for a reason.

Don T

That’s antiquated. Now it’s blunt wrappers: menthol for a boy, piña colada for girl.

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