World Cup 2018

[pocketscience]

Going to go out on a bit of a ledge: how much genuine quality have we seen in this World Cup? We've seen lots of entertaining games, lots of drama, but while there have been a few impressive performances it feels like we haven't seen teams or players consistently show their quality.

Could be wrong, I always forget stuff, but was just musing on it this morning and struggling to think of any.

As mentioned up-thread, I think the quality of the "rest of the (footballing) world", the so called minnows, has improved infinitely. With the exception of Germany and Spain, I don't see any significant drop in quality of any of the established footballing nations this WC, quite the contrary - just look at England for example - the quality of play is much higher than any previous tournament; passing game on the ground, completed passes, set piece execution. Long ball, hit-and-hope is thankfully a distant memory.
imo it's because football is reaching a plateau of peak quality internationally that we're seeing more entertaining games with lots of drama.
So, I'd turn your point around and say that impressive performances stand out less and the crap performances stand out more(see Germany / Spain)

*eta; don't forget the quality of defending in the games with less drama - Sweden, Switzerland & Uruguay... a very high quality of defending

 

[Lord Camomile]

Hm, interesting take. It's certainly been noticed for the past three or four tournaments that the smaller teams are generally more organised and less naive than previously. Hadn't thought about it that way round, though.

 

[Teaboy]

I think the point about it being international football is an important one. We are fed a regular diet of Premier League and Champions League football which is on the whole an extremely high standard. Its hard to see how international football could ever ever match that or indeed exceed it.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I think the point about it being international football is an important one. We are fed a regular diet of Premier League and Champions League football which is on the whole an extremely high standard. Its hard to see how international football could ever ever match that or indeed exceed it.

Aye, but it feels like at other tournaments there's usually one or two teams and individuals who you can point to as having 'great World Cups' or whatever, whereas this tournament hasn't really seen anyone be consistently on top over a series of matches.

 

[skyscraper101]

Was there one last World Cup? Or the one before?

I vaguely recall James Rodríguez being a stand out player in 2014. Perhaps Mbeppe this time? Kane will certainly have gotten a lot more attention internationally too.

 

[alleycatfilms]

Our latest short film exploring immigrant experience and national identity in London through the lens of the World Cup. Stockwell's Portuguese community features heavily.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[littlebabyjesus]

As mentioned up-thread, I think the quality of the "rest of the (footballing) world", the so called minnows, has improved infinitely. With the exception of Germany and Spain, I don't see any significant drop in quality of any of the established footballing nations this WC, quite the contrary - just look at England for example - the quality of play is much higher than any previous tournament; passing game on the ground, completed passes, set piece execution. Long ball, hit-and-hope is thankfully a distant memory.
imo it's because football is reaching a plateau of peak quality internationally that we're seeing more entertaining games with lots of drama.
So, I'd turn your point around and say that impressive performances stand out less and the crap performances stand out more(see Germany / Spain)

*eta; don't forget the quality of defending in the games with less drama - Sweden, Switzerland & Uruguay... a very high quality of defending

Yep agree with this, and regarding England, what has most impressed me about their best passages of play has been their teamwork, movement and link-up play, which doesn't always necessarily involve one player standing out as amazing. That's been true of lots of other teams as well.

That said, I do think there have been loads of stand-out individual performances, and there has definitely been a way above-average number of brilliant goals.

 

[Teaboy]

What I will say about this World Cup it has pretty effectively drowned out the Wimbledon drivel for the time being. England need to win on Saturday if for this reason alone.

 

[Lord Camomile]

 

[Badgers]

 

[Badgers]

First time ever the semi-finals will not feature Germany, Argentina or Brazil.

 

[Badgers]

Excluding own goals, Kevin De Bruyne is the 100th different player to score at the 2018 World Cup finals.

 

[Badgers]

Have any national managers been sacked or retired?

 

[newbie]

does the Spanish one count?

 

[belboid]

Polish dude did, didn't he?

 

[imposs1904]

It's bollocks, I know, but so is Skinner, Broudie and Ridgeley singing 'It's Coming Home' again:

 

[binka]

A shilling to watch Scotland? Limited tickets still available I'm assuming

 

[imposs1904]

A shilling to watch Scotland? Limited tickets still available I'm assuming

Hey, cheeky chops, if it wasn't for us, Joe Hart would still be your number one. Just bear that in mind:

 

[nuffsaid]

 

[The39thStep]

dont know if this has been posted but it made me smile

 

[Lord Camomile]

I don't really drink, and even I think it's despicable behaviour.

 

[Wilf]

I don't really drink, and even I think it's despicable behaviour.

… and just how long does it take to get served at those dos anyway?

 

[JimW]

Had a good chuckle at some of the Chinese web comments where bemoaning how shit the national team is makes the Scots look optimists:
"冰岛33万人口都能选出11个球员，反观亚洲某个国家坐拥十几亿人口却连个世界杯都进不了 真替印度感到丢脸"
Iceland with a population of 330,000 can pick eleven [good] players then you look at Asia and there's a country with a population of well over a billion can't even get into the finals...I'm really ashamed on behalf of India.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Had a good chuckle at some of the Chinese web comments where bemoaning how shit the national team is...

I'm really ashamed on behalf of India.

 

[JimW]

Joke is readers will assume he means China as it's a point often made.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Joke is readers will assume he means China as it's a point often made.

Ahhhh. Did not get it was a joke

 

[Idris2002]

Wrong thread!

 

[Maggot]

It's coming home...

Posted on 2nd June.

Always ahead of the crowd

 

[Badgers]

Posted on 2nd June.

Always ahead of the crowd

 

[Badgers]

This has been the best World Cup I can recall

I opened a betting account before it started with £10 and still have £13 left. Tips for the final games?