Planet Rugby Forum

eldanielfire wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Diego wrote:France have a very young squad. They certainly have the talent to win it but not sure if they have the fortitude.

They utterly bottled the home Euros, it will take some time to get over that.

However the issue with France I see is they don't have many natural leaders to create a team identity around. There isn't a Anelka, Vieira, Blanc or Henry who led or where mature from an early age. They are all Anelka's. It's IMO a regular problem in football, it's all prima donna's, the self-centered and man-children.

Diego wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Diego wrote:France have a very young squad. They certainly have the talent to win it but not sure if they have the fortitude.

They utterly bottled the home Euros, it will take some time to get over that.

However the issue with France I see is they don't have many natural leaders to create a team identity around. There isn't a Anelka, Vieira, Blanc or Henry who led or where mature from an early age. They are all Anelka's. It's IMO a regular problem in football, it's all prima donna's, the self-centered and man-children.

I was meant to say Zidane

Any boredies attending the event?

I will be in Moscow from 26 - 29th, watching the Serbia v Brazil match

Will there be vuvuzelas this time?

Varsity Way wrote:Will there be vuvuzelas this time?

It's Russia so only monkey noises and crowd violence allowed.

I see Hope Solo is going to be in the RTÉ panel for the World Cup.
This isn’t eh, the first time she has been in front of a camera.
The usual rules apply.

Varsity Way wrote:Will there be vuvuzelas this time?

just the big one

LandOTurk wrote:Is there a WC comp going on for Plan et rugby in Superbru?

Didn't set it up. Footbal comps are rather shit in that site IMHO.

God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

Wtf?

Wendigo7 wrote:

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

Wtf?

That's what I thought. Controversy has an 'o' in it.

eldanielfire wrote:

Diego wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Diego wrote:France have a very young squad. They certainly have the talent to win it but not sure if they have the fortitude.

They utterly bottled the home Euros, it will take some time to get over that.

However the issue with France I see is they don't have many natural leaders to create a team identity around. There isn't a Anelka, Vieira, Blanc or Henry who led or where mature from an early age. They are all Anelka's. It's IMO a regular problem in football, it's all prima donna's, the self-centered and man-children.

I was meant to say Zidane

They're all Anelkas? You gotta be freaking kidding. Anelka was a selfish brat. Beside Pogba I can't see any other player in that team going by that definition.

eldanielfire wrote:

Diego wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Diego wrote:France have a very young squad. They certainly have the talent to win it but not sure if they have the fortitude.

They utterly bottled the home Euros, it will take some time to get over that.

However the issue with France I see is they don't have many natural leaders to create a team identity around. There isn't a Anelka, Vieira, Blanc or Henry who led or where mature from an early age. They are all Anelka's. It's IMO a regular problem in football, it's all prima donna's, the self-centered and man-children.

I was meant to say Zidane

Zidane was Mr. Red card for a long long time.

Got Germany in the office sweepstake

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

The BBC did a good video piece on Black Russians. Their general opinion is most Russians aren't racist and while they are a tad ignorant due to lack of exposure, when race incidents occur ordinary Russian's actually step in to back them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUqUXGVlnQ

My sister went to Moscow with work and loved it. Though I'm sure when racism occurs I'm sure it's far more extreme.

LandOTurk wrote:

Wendigo7 wrote:

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

Wtf?

That's what I thought. Controversy has an 'o' in it.

That's what I get for typing on my phone

eldanielfire wrote:

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

The BBC did a good video piece on Black Russians. Their general opinion is most Russians aren't racist and while they are a tad ignorant due to lack of exposure, when race incidents occur ordinary Russian's actually step in to back them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUqUXGVlnQ

My sister went to Moscow with work and loved it. Though I'm sure when racism occurs I'm sure it's far more extreme.

While I don't much care for these issues as far as world cup is concerned and am generally tired of this discussion everywhere for past twenty years. Arguing that Racism isn't a problem in Russia is bonkers. You don't need to interview black people for that, just go to Central asians, Tajiks, Kyrgizs, Kazaxs. Not to mention Caucasians who are also called "Blacks" around these parts.


Russian breed of racism is heavily bathed in nationalism. The society is divided based on Race/Ethnic background and Many other aspects. Yes you can find plenty of people who can say "oh im from "x" and I've never had a problem". That's the norm in fact, but only when the person from "x" knows his place in society and isn't trying to upset the balance between the Privileged and rest of the cattle. White ethnic Russians have more leverage in society and are a privileged class. Same was very much the case in Soviet Russia.

eldanielfire wrote:

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

The BBC did a good video piece on Black Russians. Their general opinion is most Russians aren't racist and while they are a tad ignorant due to lack of exposure, when race incidents occur ordinary Russian's actually step in to back them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUqUXGVlnQ

My sister went to Moscow with work and loved it. Though I'm sure when racism occurs I'm sure it's far more extreme.

You get hardline right wing nutters who attend club matches in Russia and they're the people doing the monkey chants. Those people probably wont be at the world cup matches, which is why all the talk of "England players threaten to walk off if they're racially abused" is massively premature. The world cup, like all big sporting events, will just be attended by normal local people who want to watch Football.

New guy wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

New guy wrote:God aren't the media banging on about racism already?

There's always some contraversy they stir up before these tournaments. Crowd trouble, racism, unfinished stadiums, political unrest. They always find some doom and gloom to drone on about. No wonder the host nations never like England

The BBC did a good video piece on Black Russians. Their general opinion is most Russians aren't racist and while they are a tad ignorant due to lack of exposure, when race incidents occur ordinary Russian's actually step in to back them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUqUXGVlnQ

My sister went to Moscow with work and loved it. Though I'm sure when racism occurs I'm sure it's far more extreme.

You get hardline right wing nutters who attend club matches in Russia and they're the people doing the monkey chants. Those people probably wont be at the world cup matches, which is why all the talk of "England players threaten to walk off if they're racially abused" is massively premature. The world cup, like all big sporting events, will just be attended by normal local people who want to watch Football.

Well Russia has a recent history of putting on fine global events. I'm pretty sure if Putin can get the Sochi Olympics right while planning a land grab, he will keep his nations hooligans quiet for the most part here.

Hosts Russia will enter their own World Cup as the lowest ranked side of all 32 teams competing in the tournament.

Russia had been ahead of Saudi Arabia when Fifa's previous standings were released in May, but have slipped four places to 70th in the new rankings.

Does cost equate to success?

LandOTurk wrote:Hosts Russia will enter their own World Cup as the lowest ranked side of all 32 teams competing in the tournament.

Russia had been ahead of Saudi Arabia when Fifa's previous standings were released in May, but have slipped four places to 70th in the new rankings.

Wow. Imagine the shame of holding a major tournament in your own country and going out before all the best action start........oh hold on

LandOTurk wrote:Hosts Russia will enter their own World Cup as the lowest ranked side of all 32 teams competing in the tournament.

Russia had been ahead of Saudi Arabia when Fifa's previous standings were released in May, but have slipped four places to 70th in the new rankings.

Probably not as bad as South Africa were though.

England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

Jim Lahey wrote:Got Germany in the office sweepstake

I got panama. Feeling good about it.

Varsity Way wrote:England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

Are they still playing 4-4-2 ?

Varsity Way wrote:England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

FullbackAce wrote:

Varsity Way wrote:England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

Are they still playing 4-4-2 ?

We play 3-5-2. Have done for a little while now.

FWIW, 4-4-2 is what won Real Madrid the Champs League this year and was the most effective formation for most teams so it's not that bad, it's just how you deploy it.

As for the study above, Peru have a 10% chance and are 5th favourites for a tournament. A country which has seen mass brawls over panini stickers and a drug cheat let out specifically for the tournament, is going to have a good chance to win the world cup... take that test with a massive grain of salt.

Flametop wrote:I see Hope Solo is going to be in the RTÉ panel for the World Cup.
This isn’t eh, the first time she has been in front of a camera.
The usual rules apply.

Is that the fappening footy chic with all the growler and gape anal pics ?

Edit - yup, I remembered correctly.
Quick google reveals amusing threads on this subject matter, probably NWS

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/-AR ... 28/?page=1

SFBB wrote:

Jim Lahey wrote:Got Germany in the office sweepstake

I got panama. Feeling good about it.

They managed to hold the mighty Northern Ireland 0-0 at home, I'd say its in the bag

England quite good with a B Team against Costa Rica who put us out of the last world cup.

Wendigo7 wrote:

FullbackAce wrote:

Varsity Way wrote:England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

Are they still playing 4-4-2 ?

We play 3-5-2. Have done for a little while now.

FWIW, 4-4-2 is what won Real Madrid the Champs League this year and was the most effective formation for most teams so it's not that bad, it's just how you deploy it.

As for the study above, Peru have a 10% chance and are 5th favourites for a tournament. A country which has seen mass brawls over panini stickers and a drug cheat let out specifically for the tournament, is going to have a good chance to win the world cup... take that test with a massive grain of salt.

Clubs have hundreeds of games to work on it. In a national team you have to find the best fit for your players which they clearly didn't when it mattered most(during "that" generation)

Varsity Way wrote:England have less chance of winning the Fifa World Cup than Peru, according to sports data company Gracenote.

England have a 4% chance apparently based upon rankings. 4% = 4/100. If we played this world cup 100 times, would we win four? I doubt it.

Wendigo7 wrote:England quite good with a B Team against Costa Rica who put us out of the last world cup.

I have kept seeing this both before and after the game and it's completely wrong. England were far worse than that, they were already out by the time the two teams played (and England proceeded to avoid defeat for their best result of the tournament).

LandOTurk wrote:Does cost equate to success?

Well, it's the closest thing international football can have to a wage bill, which is the metric having the strongest correlation with league finishing position in club football. But we're also talking about a tournament that is mostly a knock-out competition so bets are off re: picking a single winner.

Equate it to any type of physical system - e.g. molecular diffusion theory predicting the behaviour of gas molecules on average - for which the variable (tournament finishing position in this case) incorporates some uncertainty so can be characterised by a random variable with a probability distribution. The 'single best team' has the greatest single probability of finishing first but there is complexity in the unresolved detail of the system that means the outcome remains indeterminable. A much greater proportion of the probability distribution for any one team belongs to the 'not finishing 1st' alternative but the single winner will more than likely come from the group of best teams that collectively account for the majority of finishing 1st likelihood (it's a closed system, i.e. unbiased in probability terms). BTW, many of the predictions coming out from soccer stat factories right now are reached by Monte Carlo simulation so they incorporate the practical issue of the draw and how that interacts with the notional random variable (however they decide to characterise that, by world rankings over the cycle, past performance, qualifying results or whatever).

So given squads' players' value might be a good way to characterise the random variable, will the winner come from the group of teams accounting for the majority of players' value of those participating in the competition? Assuming valuations aren't significantly biased in any way, the answer is probably, but not definitely.

I’ve got a ticket for the Final in Moscow!
Uahoooo!

I’m right in the middle of this Fan-Id thing.
Anyone going to any match?

AlanBengio wrote:Anyone going to any match?

Not Italy from what I hear.

mabunch78 wrote:

Wendigo7 wrote:England quite good with a B Team against Costa Rica who put us out of the last world cup.

I have kept seeing this both before and after the game and it's completely wrong. England were far worse than that, they were already out by the time the two teams played (and England proceeded to avoid defeat for their best result of the tournament).

Although as Costa Ricas first two results and the schedule meant that England couldn't qualify you could argue that they eliminated England more so than Italy and Uruguay.

2 days.. can't wait.