Profile | Entries | Thread Author | Posts | Activity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glad to see back, ManSack!
Just a note, Senegal is in Group H. I look forward, and good luck!
|
vanzack | 799 |
|
|
Thanks for all your work Van, now lets get this done Germany! I hate to see supermodels cry.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by Europa: You are quite correct in saying that inexplicably the Dutch acted like they were playing the entire game so they could lose on penalties.To bet over 3 goals, you'd better hope Brazil to score all of the 4 goals against these sloppy orange shirts. This Dutch bunch would probably lay a big fat egg again on Saturday, these orange f**** did mostly pass the ball backward to their defenders and goalie through out the game in the semi against Argentines. I'm very disappointed that they weren't more aggressive. However, this game has always had a "last day of school" feeling about it, and it is not important to either side in the context that they both just blew a chance to get to the World Cup Final. This game is FIFA's answer to The Pro Bowl.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:
3rd place game - Brazil / Netherlands - OVER 3 -108 (4 units) - Anyone who has been around here long enough knows what happens in third place games. I was really surprised to see 3 - although this game in particular has some great undertones - I fully expect a training field exercise and many goals to be scored (again). Bet it early and often....
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Just to give some credit where its due. Nice call on both games. Quote Originally Posted by begginerboy:
Let me say why I like Germany and Argentina. Germany is playing a team that had a lot of heart but little chemistry. They barely beat Chile and then hung on against Colombia only to lose two of their stars in the process. Now that Brazil is depleted are we to believe that they will magically rally around each other, find the chemistry they were lacking and play their best ball against a German team that is better than any team they have faced thus far? Being a slight underdog might take some of the pressure off of this Brazil team, but not much. This is still Brazil and they will be expected to win. Hence, the injury and the suspension are not so much a rallying cry as they are the straw that broke the camel's back. From this vantage point, Germany to qualify is better than a 50/50 proposition. |
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
My oh my, what we saw today will live in World Cup infamy for all time.
I had to check a few times to make sure my playstation wasn't on. I love the Dutch to advance. As we were shown today, at this level teams that play as a unit tend to win. I think Holland is the more cohesive side and the bulk of this team knows what it takes to get to the final. Good luck all, and thanks for the writeups, Van.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Lots of great ideas here about reforming the game, and I agree with many of them, especially regarding time keeping and penalties.
Stop the clock when the game is not being played. Allow the managers two video challenges per game. If an offensive player is diving in the box, give the ref the leeway to award a penalty shot to the defensive team. I'll admit as a Ghana fan, I'm a little biased on this one, but if a defensive player uses his hand to block a sure goal, then the ref should have the power to award a goal. The NHL have similar rules that can be applied in very specific situations. Having said all that, FIFA is corrupt from the boardroom to the pitch, as are many of its members. The arbitrary nature that governs the entire entity from top to bottom may serve the machine and those who benefit from it well, but it is an insult to both the fans and players. At the top end we have a borderline pariah state like Qatar being awarded the World Cup and on the pitch we have rules that encourage players to cheat at every turn. While I am no football expert, I do love the WC, but I lament so many of the obvious shortcomings inside and outside the game.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Early look, but I like Columbia (just kidding, Colombia) to advance at +216.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack: Van in the pain of the moment it is difficult to see the success. As the great American poet Bob Dylan once said "there's no success like failure".Overall, just drained after the US game. Obviously we shouldn't have won - but had so many chances - it seems like we squandered it. But if you look at it - we played 4 games - won one, tied one, and lost two. That's not good enough. We played with a great spirit - but our talent needs to get better or we are going to be a perennial round of 16 team.
The USA played with integrity and the game today was absolutely electric. Your team can exit the tournament with their heads held high. In my opinion, the United states are on the cusp of joining the big boys on the world stage.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Van, good luck to your team. Win or lose, the USA have accorded themselves well at this World Cup.
Having said that, I laid one unit on the petulant Belgian squad -.5 . With all due respect, this may be the "Waterloo" for a an American side that has already earned the respect of the football world.
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
For those with an interest in history, the World Cup, and reading, this series is well worth a look.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/25-stunning-world-cup-moments
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack: Thanks yet again for the pics Van, and the weight on the Nigeria game is duly noted.France / Nigeria - France -1 -124 (4 units) - This will be a big one for me, my biggest bet to date. For me, France outclasses Nigeria at every position. And this is a great tactical matchup for the French as well - as they are able to deal with defending the Nigerian speed very well. The danger on Nigeria is Musa - his change of pace and high gear are a threat to any defense - but once again the Nigerian finishing leaves a lot to be desired. They scored the least amount of goals in their 3 group games (3 goals) excluding Greece of all of the teams who advanced to the round of 16 - in a group where it has to be said that they should have scored more. France on the other hand leads the WC in shots taken and shots on target. Unfortunately for them - they took all of their shots in the Ecuador game right at the GK. They are loaded with talent and options - and can adapt and play any style that suits them with the personnel to adapt. France should dominate possession, and create plenty of chances. This one is less about tactics and more about personnel, speed, talent, and quite simply goal scoring ability. France wins with ease - Predicted final score France 3 Nigeria 0
Algeria / Germany - Over 3 goals +102 (1.5 units) - Algeria scored 6 in their first 3 games, scoring at lest one in each match - in a group that was really quite defensively minded. They have really proven to be tactically adaptable - changing drastically from their first to their second to their third game - rotating half the team and playing vastly differently. The one constant is the ability to be dangerous on attack - and vulnerable on counterattack. Even in the game (Belgium) where they were most defensive minded, and played sitting way back - they scored one and allowed 2 - and there could have been more. What is there to say about the Germans. I think by now everybody gets it. I do not think they will be held at bay for 90 minutes even if that is what Algeria chooses to do - which I don't think they will do. I expect Algeria to attack - really to counterattack - like they did against S Korea - it really is their only chance. But that leaves them very vulnerable at the back - and it should allow Germany plenty of space. The US / Germany game showed me something - for the first 15 minutes the US back line was packed back all the way in to the box - and in the first fifteen minutes there were about 5 good German chances on goal. Algeria will know that they wont be able to pull off this tactic for 90 minutes - but at the same time - they do not have the defense that the US has. What they do have is speed. So I expect a classic possession controlled short passing team to dominate possession and then a team looking to counter fast - but Algeria just doesn't have the talent to pull it off. They will get down - and then it will be attack - and that's when the goals come. Algeria has had a great run and should be commended - but this is where it ends for them... Predicted final score Germany 3 Algeria 1. Managed to hedge the Mexico bet with about twelve minutes to go at +331 NED to advance, so I stemmed the bleeding. At that point Ned was +1800 to win outright! Also going to tail on ALG-GER. Also going to lay a half unit on Algeria to advance, based on karma and infamy. I have little doubt the Algerians have not forgotten. At the price, I'll side with the concept that revenge is a dish best served cold. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, this story is well worth a read. https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/25/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-no3-germany-austria-1982-rob-smyth
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
"definitely the stinker of the round of 16"
True. In a sense, it feels like a group game. I'm going CR -.5 @ +162 for a half. GLA
|
vanzack | 447 |
|
|
"The only thing we care about is winning the next bet. Such as Suarez for Golden Boot, or Uruguay to advance. Don't believe any pompous write-up that involves fake emotion and does not involve cold hard cash." All the best.
|
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
"Sounds like a load of horse.... to me. Covers posters don't care for the 'betrayed people of Uruguay'. Are you serious? The only thing we care about is winning the next bet. Such as Suarez for Golden Boot, or Uruguay to advance. Don't believe any pompous write-up that involves fake emotion and does not involve cold hard cash." Sorry Mug, I did not realise that you are the self appointed arbiter of what can and cannot be posted on this forum. Thanks for clearing that up. |
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by yestoeverything: While I am not informed enough to argue your point, I would be grateful if you could provide a link to back up your assertion. The biting incidents of 2010 and 2013 involved league play, not international. Best quote I read on the internet: "Clearly the Italian player had a chip on his shoulder", from an English wag at The Guardian. |
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by micalf: He will not be suspended from playing for liverpool, he will face a penalty of a maximum of 24 games which will only effect his international eligibility. While I am not informed enough to argue your point, I would be grateful if you could provide a link to back up your assertion.
|
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
Quote Originally Posted by MuggsyBogues: They will not let him play on, and now Liverpool will be on the hook for a massive contract for a player who is likely to miss half the season.Would be cool if they let him play on. This man is not worthy of gracing a beer league soccer pitch, though you may sadly be right, which only speaks volumes about the utter corruption that is FIFA. It is well documented that this loser has bitten opponents on three separate occasions. Obviously, he has some mental health issues. |
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
I understand why Suarez used his hand to stop Ghana in 2010. Even though it broke my heart, it was the right play and the only play to give his team a chance to win the game.
But a serial biter is quite a different matter, and an indicator that this man may well be violating drug tests undetected. Nobody bites people repeatedly, unless they have some serious mental health issues, and it is likely that these mental health issues are caused by performance enhancing drugs. As talented as Mr. Suarez is, he has no business playing at this level ever again. His lack of morals make him unfit. The man is a douchebag of the highest order, and his selfish actions have relegated his nation to irrelevance in this World Cup. Not only is this a sad end to a sorry episode, Mr. Suarez has gleefully decided to place himself ahead of his country. Why an individual would do such a thing is utterly beyond me, but Mr. Suarez will have to answer from now until the end of time as to why he is such a stupid self absorbed fool. What a shame, and what a waste. What bothers me the most is the betrayal of the fine people in Uruguay, who have had their chance at glory stolen by a man who puts himself ahead of his country. |
vanzack | 1042 |
|
|
Initially I thought CIV were robbed, but this replay clearly shows the defender using his knee to catch the leg of the Greek forward. It was a proper call.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnxO-rtj25E
|
vanzack | 1042 |
|
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.