A story with Russia and a lot of bed-wetting
December 1, 2017 11:56 AM Subscribe
The groups for the 2018 FIFA World in Russia were drawn.
The draw was made today, and resulted in balanced groups:
A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
The long qualifying stage saw a lot of fan-favourites and regulars miss the competition. While the Netherlands missing a second consecutive major competition after finishing behind France and Sweden in the group stage was hardly a surprise given their erratic performances throughout the last two years, Italy finished second to Spain with a decent enough record, but the anemic performance from the group stages continued in the playoff where they couldn't overturn a one-nil defeat against Sweden in the second leg at home. The shock elimination - the first time Italy failed to qualify for a final stage since Euro'92 (when they finished behind the Soviet Union at a time only group winners qualified) saw coach Gian Piero Ventura being sacked and FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio resign. The United States bottling process was a long, convoluted one, losing a crucial game to Trinidad & Tobago, with Honduras beating Mexico and Panama beating Costa Rica, thus finishing in 5th place. It was the logical conclusion to a troubled qualifying campaign that saw Jurgen Klinsmann dismissed and Bruce Arena brought back, but even the rising star of Pulisic couldn't make up for the questionable call-up choices (including Arena's perceived nativism) and poor performances. It's a blow for US Soccer, who will have added trouble justifying the disparity between the support for the Men's teams and the much more successful Women's team (previously) while dealing with a financial shortfall for missing qualification for FIFA's main competition, as well as leaving broadcasters and sponsors with questions to answer. Another surprise absence is Chile - the current Copa America (and Centenário) winners being left outside the grand stage after losing 3-0 to Brazil in the final day, with Peru managing a draw with Colombia, sending them to the playoff by a 2 goal difference. The story gets weirder, as last year Bolivia fielded an ineligible player in their victory against Peru and draw in Chile. If Chile had not pushed the issue where the ruling bodies decided to deliver an administrative defeat to Bolivia on both matches, they would have finished ahead of Peru by a single point. Argentina also briefly tempted disaster, but a Messi hat-trick in the final game saw them jump from 6th to 4th and advance to the World Cup.
With so much heartbreak, there were bound to be surprises: after reaching the quarterfinals in 2016, Iceland has become the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, with an impressive end to their qualification stage that saw them top the group. In Africa, Egypt will return after a 28 year absence, so will Morocco (16 years) Senegal (12 years) Tunisia (8 years), while Nigeria managed their third qualification in a row. This was mostly at the expense of the more powerful West African powers such as Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast. On Asia, there was little surprise other than war-torn Syria managing to advance to the 4th round playoff and only falling in overtime against Australia, who had to beat Honduras in the inter-continental playoffs to reach the World Cup. In Oceania, New Zealand easily dispatched their competition but was eliminated by Peru in the in the very final game of the qualifying stages, who returns to the World Cup after a 36-year absence.
And for all the drama, there were teams that cruised to the world cup: Germany was the only UEFA team to win all 10 games, with Spain and Belgium (1 draw) and England (2) being the other undefeated teams. Brazil finished 10 points clear of second place Uruguay, while Iran was undefeated throughout 18 games in two stages.
Another subject that has been raised recently was, given the tampering of anti-doping samples in Sochi that resulted in dozens of bans and the de-certification of Russian labs, how would player samples be dealt with. According to the FIFA medical committee chairman Michel D'Hooghe, all samples will be processed abroad.
The draw was made today, and resulted in balanced groups:
A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
The long qualifying stage saw a lot of fan-favourites and regulars miss the competition. While the Netherlands missing a second consecutive major competition after finishing behind France and Sweden in the group stage was hardly a surprise given their erratic performances throughout the last two years, Italy finished second to Spain with a decent enough record, but the anemic performance from the group stages continued in the playoff where they couldn't overturn a one-nil defeat against Sweden in the second leg at home. The shock elimination - the first time Italy failed to qualify for a final stage since Euro'92 (when they finished behind the Soviet Union at a time only group winners qualified) saw coach Gian Piero Ventura being sacked and FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio resign. The United States bottling process was a long, convoluted one, losing a crucial game to Trinidad & Tobago, with Honduras beating Mexico and Panama beating Costa Rica, thus finishing in 5th place. It was the logical conclusion to a troubled qualifying campaign that saw Jurgen Klinsmann dismissed and Bruce Arena brought back, but even the rising star of Pulisic couldn't make up for the questionable call-up choices (including Arena's perceived nativism) and poor performances. It's a blow for US Soccer, who will have added trouble justifying the disparity between the support for the Men's teams and the much more successful Women's team (previously) while dealing with a financial shortfall for missing qualification for FIFA's main competition, as well as leaving broadcasters and sponsors with questions to answer. Another surprise absence is Chile - the current Copa America (and Centenário) winners being left outside the grand stage after losing 3-0 to Brazil in the final day, with Peru managing a draw with Colombia, sending them to the playoff by a 2 goal difference. The story gets weirder, as last year Bolivia fielded an ineligible player in their victory against Peru and draw in Chile. If Chile had not pushed the issue where the ruling bodies decided to deliver an administrative defeat to Bolivia on both matches, they would have finished ahead of Peru by a single point. Argentina also briefly tempted disaster, but a Messi hat-trick in the final game saw them jump from 6th to 4th and advance to the World Cup.
With so much heartbreak, there were bound to be surprises: after reaching the quarterfinals in 2016, Iceland has become the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, with an impressive end to their qualification stage that saw them top the group. In Africa, Egypt will return after a 28 year absence, so will Morocco (16 years) Senegal (12 years) Tunisia (8 years), while Nigeria managed their third qualification in a row. This was mostly at the expense of the more powerful West African powers such as Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast. On Asia, there was little surprise other than war-torn Syria managing to advance to the 4th round playoff and only falling in overtime against Australia, who had to beat Honduras in the inter-continental playoffs to reach the World Cup. In Oceania, New Zealand easily dispatched their competition but was eliminated by Peru in the in the very final game of the qualifying stages, who returns to the World Cup after a 36-year absence.
And for all the drama, there were teams that cruised to the world cup: Germany was the only UEFA team to win all 10 games, with Spain and Belgium (1 draw) and England (2) being the other undefeated teams. Brazil finished 10 points clear of second place Uruguay, while Iran was undefeated throughout 18 games in two stages.
Another subject that has been raised recently was, given the tampering of anti-doping samples in Sochi that resulted in dozens of bans and the de-certification of Russian labs, how would player samples be dealt with. According to the FIFA medical committee chairman Michel D'Hooghe, all samples will be processed abroad.
Gosh, I guess it's great the USMNT didn't fall for this Russian nonsense and stayed out of the Cup, right? Joke's on you, comrade!
*cries*
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:07 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
*cries*
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:07 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Group of death
Italy
Chile
USA
Netherlands
posted by cell divide at 12:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
Italy
Chile
USA
Netherlands
posted by cell divide at 12:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
srsly though how on earth does Iceland have a competitive soccer team?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:10 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:10 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
I usually root for the Netherlands (though I was incredibly disappointed & disheartened by their strategy of "foul everyone, everywhere" in the 2010 final game against Spain). With them out this time around, I think I'll pull for Iceland and maybe Australia.
posted by nubs at 12:13 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by nubs at 12:13 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm going to support our lovely neighbors to the south, Belgium.
posted by Pendragon at 12:18 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Pendragon at 12:18 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Iceland invested in year-round indoor facilities and a coherent plan for youth soccer with lots of highly qualified coaches.
posted by idb at 12:18 PM on December 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by idb at 12:18 PM on December 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
Just looks so weird w/o Italy, Chile, USA and the Netherlands.
Anyhow,
Deutschland vor! Noch ein Tor!
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:21 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Anyhow,
Deutschland vor! Noch ein Tor!
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:21 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
With the elimination of both Italy and the US, at least the TFC will still have players next summer.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 12:21 PM on December 1, 2017
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 12:21 PM on December 1, 2017
Not holding much hope for Denmark - I predict third or dead last. I'll also be surprised if England don't make it out of their group, so it's just not looking good all round.
posted by Dysk at 12:25 PM on December 1, 2017
posted by Dysk at 12:25 PM on December 1, 2017
from that first article that idb posted, talking about the stadium the Icelandic team plays in:
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:27 PM on December 1, 2017 [24 favorites]
The Icelandic FA has its offices upstairs along a corridor where someone has framed and hung on the wall the entire Iceland World Cup squad Panini sticker collection (Lars Lagerback is a shiny). A friendly, bearded FA official offers an impromptu tour of the sparse dressing rooms in the bowels of the stadium.STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU WEIRD LITTLE ISLAND.
They say that when Cristiano Ronaldo came here with Portugal he tried to commandeer a whole room to himself. Given this would have cut the capacity in half and forced his team-mates to change in the corridor, his request was politely declined. Iceland doesn’t really do VIP rooms.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:27 PM on December 1, 2017 [24 favorites]
like come on Iceland what have you done to me? you're making me care about soccer. I care about a sport because of you. I care about a nationalistic sporting event. What the hell??
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:29 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:29 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Basically the whole of Iceland went “oh fuck” when the draw was made. On paper, and in pedigree, Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria, should play Iceland off the park. However, all three team have a history of collapsing ignominiously in tournaments, so maybe two of them will.
Also, Iceland has a settled team that has been playing together since they were teenagers. The understanding they have with each other is nearly like that of a well-drilled club team. That matters a lot. That said, the three other teams have individual players which can decide a game on their own (though in Gylfi Sigurðsson, Iceland does too).
To sum up: My brain says elimination at the first hurdle, my heart hopes for more.
posted by Kattullus at 12:33 PM on December 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
Also, Iceland has a settled team that has been playing together since they were teenagers. The understanding they have with each other is nearly like that of a well-drilled club team. That matters a lot. That said, the three other teams have individual players which can decide a game on their own (though in Gylfi Sigurðsson, Iceland does too).
To sum up: My brain says elimination at the first hurdle, my heart hopes for more.
posted by Kattullus at 12:33 PM on December 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
For US soccer fans: Which World Cup Team Should You Root For?
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:45 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:45 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Reykjavik Grapevine is feeling good about the group of death:
Smite The World: Iceland To Obliterate Argentina, Croatia And Nigeria
posted by mcmile at 12:48 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Smite The World: Iceland To Obliterate Argentina, Croatia And Nigeria
posted by mcmile at 12:48 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
People telling the Iceland story love to note that the national coach not only was a part-time dentist while doing the job for a while, but also has a confidential briefing with about 200 fans in a pub before each game.
posted by idb at 12:51 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by idb at 12:51 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
that "which world cup team should you root for?" quiz has a fatal bug, though: sometimes it yields results other than Iceland.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:53 PM on December 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:53 PM on December 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
Apparently I should be rooting for either Peru or Mexico. I ain't got no problem with either.
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 12:57 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 12:57 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
It doesn't matter who you root for though, in the end Germany wins.
posted by Pendragon at 12:59 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Pendragon at 12:59 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Just looks so weird w/o Italy, Chile, USA and the Netherlands."
I don't mean to shit on the US, but they are not at the level of Chile, Italy, or the Netherlands.
The US has been improving but they are hardly a world cup regular.
posted by Tarumba at 12:59 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't mean to shit on the US, but they are not at the level of Chile, Italy, or the Netherlands.
The US has been improving but they are hardly a world cup regular.
posted by Tarumba at 12:59 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Root for Peru!! But yes Germany will win.
posted by Tarumba at 1:00 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Tarumba at 1:00 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
There are many schadenfreudes, but I think my favorite has to be the recurring one where England washes out of the World Cup in some kind of novel, yet entirely abject fashion. What will it be this tournament? Incredibly well/poorly timed own goal? Mass doping violation caused by spiked borscht at the team hotel? George Best's poltergeist making off with Harry Kane's lucky boots? I can't wait to find out!!
posted by the painkiller at 1:01 PM on December 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by the painkiller at 1:01 PM on December 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
> There are many schadenfreudes, but I think my favorite has to be the recurring one where England washes out of the World Cup in some kind of novel, yet entirely abject fashion. What will it be this tournament?
My guess is that at some point the team will hold a referendum on whether they want to continue participating in the tournament, and slightly more than half of the players will vote to leave.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [21 favorites]
My guess is that at some point the team will hold a referendum on whether they want to continue participating in the tournament, and slightly more than half of the players will vote to leave.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [21 favorites]
Saudi is in?
2017's writers are really messign with suspension of disbelief
posted by ocschwar at 1:12 PM on December 1, 2017
2017's writers are really messign with suspension of disbelief
posted by ocschwar at 1:12 PM on December 1, 2017
My wife's interest in sports has usually ranged from hostility (baseball) to indifference (pretty much everything else), but she has slowly developed a bit of good feeling towards soccer/football over the years (starting with the Zidane headbutt game, which I talked her into watching during our anniversary weekend). We visited Iceland 12 years ago and loved it, so when they qualified for the last Euro Cup she decided to root for them, watched their games in bars and the whole thing. So when they made it through the group stage she said to me "England's a good team, right? Iceland probably doesn't have a chance," and I was like "Well, if it were any other team I'd say you're right, but since it's *England*..." and proceeded to fill her in on England's history in international tournaments. Well, we all know how that game turned out*. So off to the next game against France they went, and when they lost, predictably but with honor, she was almost confused by how she was feeling. "That's disappointment, my dear. You got emotionally invested in your team for the first time in your life and now they're out of the tournament and you're sad."
Anyway, SMITE SMITE SMITE!!!
* I really don't have anything against England, but this is still one of my favourite sports photos of all time. English football, ladies and gentlemen!
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:28 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Anyway, SMITE SMITE SMITE!!!
* I really don't have anything against England, but this is still one of my favourite sports photos of all time. English football, ladies and gentlemen!
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:28 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Iceland will upset Argentina in group play.
England will lose to Panama.
France wins it all.
I AM YOUR SOOTHSAYER
posted by Kafkaesque at 1:32 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
England will lose to Panama.
France wins it all.
I AM YOUR SOOTHSAYER
posted by Kafkaesque at 1:32 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't mean to shit on the US, but they are not at the level of Chile, Italy, or the Netherlands.
The US has been improving but they are hardly a world cup regular.
Until they failed to qualify for this tournament, the only countries with longer world cup qualifying streaks than the USMNT were South Korea, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
The US has been improving but they are hardly a world cup regular.
Until they failed to qualify for this tournament, the only countries with longer world cup qualifying streaks than the USMNT were South Korea, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Wow, I'm so prepped lately to interpret all headlines as sarcastic that "Balanced Groups Drawn for Russia 2018" seemed like a really good joke. But it's true. Those all seem like pretty competitive groups. Should make for good football.
posted by Room 101 at 2:07 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 101 at 2:07 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
Given the upside down nature of Mexican futbol, I'm expecting a draw against Germany, a tight win against Sweden, and a catastrophic loss against South Korea.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:11 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Given the upside down nature of Mexican futbol, I'm expecting a draw against Germany, a tight win against Sweden, and a catastrophic loss against South Korea.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:11 PM on December 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
> For US soccer fans: Which World Cup Team Should You Root For?
I'm rooting for Argentina, as I do every World Cup. (¡Dale dale dale albiceleste!) In recent years I've had to feel torn, even while knowing in my heart of hearts the plucky US team was not going to get to the final; miserable as I am that they didn't make it this time, at least I'll have a unified rooting section.
Can the mods keep this thread open right through the Cup?
posted by languagehat at 2:15 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm rooting for Argentina, as I do every World Cup. (¡Dale dale dale albiceleste!) In recent years I've had to feel torn, even while knowing in my heart of hearts the plucky US team was not going to get to the final; miserable as I am that they didn't make it this time, at least I'll have a unified rooting section.
Can the mods keep this thread open right through the Cup?
posted by languagehat at 2:15 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
My guess is that at some point the team will hold a referendum on whether they want to continue participating in the tournament, and slightly more than half of the players will vote to leave.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:08 PM on December 1
TW, you asshole.
posted by lalochezia at 2:19 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Since I made this post based on a draft I had at the end of the regular qualifying stage, I missed on a couple of things:
- The official poster is glorious.
- There's some rumours the USSF might run a parallel competition with teams knocked out, which considering the difference in time zones might not be that bad of an idea at all - in 2016 there was some overlap between the Euros and the Centenário, and one could couch-potato from 5pm to 2 am watching games. Not sure if FIFA would be ok with that (and teams are not forced to release players for non-official games), and since the US are in the middle of a joint WC bid, pissing them off might not be that wise.
posted by lmfsilva at 2:54 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
- The official poster is glorious.
- There's some rumours the USSF might run a parallel competition with teams knocked out, which considering the difference in time zones might not be that bad of an idea at all - in 2016 there was some overlap between the Euros and the Centenário, and one could couch-potato from 5pm to 2 am watching games. Not sure if FIFA would be ok with that (and teams are not forced to release players for non-official games), and since the US are in the middle of a joint WC bid, pissing them off might not be that wise.
posted by lmfsilva at 2:54 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
SCHLAAAAAAAAAAAND!!!!!!!
posted by chillmost at 2:58 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by chillmost at 2:58 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
As a Swede, I'm not super happy with the group but not super upset either. It's doable, particularly considering that wonderful comeback the team had against Germany a while back. I will say that it's nice to have only one team to root for at a time in the WC, so it's at least one fringe benefit of the US not making it...
posted by gemmy at 3:00 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by gemmy at 3:00 PM on December 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Until they failed to qualify for this tournament, the only countries with longer world cup qualifying streaks than the USMNT were South Korea, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.
All hail the mighty dominator of the CONCACAF region.
posted by biffa at 3:49 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
All hail the mighty dominator of the CONCACAF region.
posted by biffa at 3:49 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
And you can tell CONCACAF is really tough because the mighty USA didn’t qualify!
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:52 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:52 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I reckon Egypt for the hard luck story of the tournament. Screwed by some bullshit effort to keep Russia in till qualifying.
posted by biffa at 3:53 PM on December 1, 2017
posted by biffa at 3:53 PM on December 1, 2017
538 had a "which team should you root for" quiz, and since the US and Ireland aren't in, I decided I would take the quiz and support whatever team I got. I got Uruguay, which happened to get the easiest draw of any team. So I'm feeling pretty good about cheering on a few wins, at least.
posted by COD at 3:55 PM on December 1, 2017
posted by COD at 3:55 PM on December 1, 2017
One day I happened to mention Harry Kane to my wife, who said, "Is that his real name? Are you sure you aren't watching professional wrestling?"
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 3:56 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 3:56 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I got Uruguay, which happened to get the easiest draw of any team. So I'm feeling pretty good about cheering on a few wins, at least.
Uruguay is a lovely team if you’re a fan of cannibalism...
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Uruguay is a lovely team if you’re a fan of cannibalism...
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:08 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
That was entirely Chiellini's fault, that was a known problem with Suarez at that point.
posted by biffa at 4:24 PM on December 1, 2017
posted by biffa at 4:24 PM on December 1, 2017
The Reykjavik Grapevine is feeling good about the group of death:
That's their shtick, though.
posted by acb at 5:06 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's their shtick, though.
posted by acb at 5:06 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
srsly though how on earth does Iceland have a competitive soccer team?
I'm thinking a combination of World's Strongest plus Crossfit plus avant garde music.
posted by srboisvert at 5:13 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm thinking a combination of World's Strongest plus Crossfit plus avant garde music.
posted by srboisvert at 5:13 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I’m really torn between wanting Messi to finally win and dreading how insufferable the Argentines would be about it.
posted by oddman at 5:24 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by oddman at 5:24 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
> I’m really torn between wanting Messi to finally win and dreading how insufferable the Argentines would be about it.
Oh, come on, the Argentines can't get any more insufferable than they are already—just ask anyone from any other South American country! (I say that as a proud ersatz Argentine who can still bellow the national anthem and has an Argentina cap to wear during games.)
posted by languagehat at 5:49 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh, come on, the Argentines can't get any more insufferable than they are already—just ask anyone from any other South American country! (I say that as a proud ersatz Argentine who can still bellow the national anthem and has an Argentina cap to wear during games.)
posted by languagehat at 5:49 PM on December 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I want to root for Iceland. But my usual World Cup rooting rules are:
(a) root for the countries that I know people from that I like, and against countries that I know people from that I dislike. Since there are so few Icelanders, I don't know any.
(b) root for the countries with the better food. These people eat fermented shark.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:52 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
(a) root for the countries that I know people from that I like, and against countries that I know people from that I dislike. Since there are so few Icelanders, I don't know any.
(b) root for the countries with the better food. These people eat fermented shark.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:52 PM on December 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
okay but have you considered this? (also from the article that idb posted upthread):
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 6:55 PM on December 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
Hannes Thor Halldorsson, the goalkeeper, has played at nine clubs and also works as a film director. He did the video to Iceland’s Eurovision song contest entry four years agoTHEIR KEEPER DIRECTED A EUROVISION VIDEO.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 6:55 PM on December 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
Allez les Bleus! I like teams that can excel or crash and burn.
posted by ersatz at 12:55 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ersatz at 12:55 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Support Peru for a good after party. They're inca hoots.
posted by biffa at 1:56 AM on December 2, 2017
posted by biffa at 1:56 AM on December 2, 2017
Honestly, without Cote d'ivoire in the tournament to be massively overhyped and then get knocked out embarrassingly in the first round, I'm at a bit of a loss. 538 suggested Senegal, which I could handle, but then I remembered this OkayAfrica playlist put together by members of Nigeria's national team and ... I think that the Screaming Eagles are the team for me!
posted by ChuraChura at 4:29 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 4:29 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Fivethirtyeight with a breakdown of the groups, noting the good fortune of Russia in drawing a relatively weak set of opponents in Group A.
And, further on Iceland - here's their new Prime Minister
posted by nubs at 8:19 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
And, further on Iceland - here's their new Prime Minister
posted by nubs at 8:19 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh, come on, the Argentines can't get any more insufferable than they are already
Well, let me tell what happened after Euro 2016...
posted by lmfsilva at 8:49 AM on December 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well, let me tell what happened after Euro 2016...
posted by lmfsilva at 8:49 AM on December 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Regarding the US exploring a seperate "also ran" tournament...I know it is a done deal to expand the World Cup field but I've often thought that keeping the existing 32 team field and adding a seperate 16 team competition would be a way to increase participation which I think is important while not watering down the qualifying and the eventual main competition. If Europe can run the Champions League and the Europa League every year I don't see why this wouldn't work. Plus the underdogs in this second tier competition would actually have a chance rather than being canon fodder in an expanded tournament.
posted by mmascolino at 9:23 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mmascolino at 9:23 AM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I did the "Who Should You Support ..." quiz even though I'm English.
I got Iceland.
hm.
posted by devious truculent and unreliable at 12:45 PM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I got Iceland.
hm.
posted by devious truculent and unreliable at 12:45 PM on December 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Given your title, you either forgot the "incontinence" tag or you really need work on your spelling
posted by thelonius at 12:02 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by thelonius at 12:02 PM on December 3, 2017
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posted by Fizz at 12:02 PM on December 1, 2017 [3 favorites]