Right - forgetting the bent bidding process and the conditions of the migrant workers building the stadiums - does anybody else agree that a Nov/Dec competition has the potential to be ace?

 

Firstly because it will take up most of the traditional Christmas bullshit season so we'll all be talking about football and not festivities. Secondly just for the novelty factor. And thirdly because we can see whether or not our well worn excuse about our players being tired stands up to scrutiny.

 

Tried this one yet @bolty58? 🏳️‍🌈

Delicious

 

Morocco game on although the Moroccan team are patched up and for a defensive team having their main CB out ain't going to help. I'd love it if they do Portugal but I can't see it.

Yee haw!

Now Portugal have to do what no other team has done in the WC and that's score in open play against Morocco.

Although Fernandes grazes the bar as I write.

So far so good.

Morocco are really motivated.

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

So far so good.

Morocco are really motivated.

A proper team.

 

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

So far so good.

Morocco are really motivated.

And the better team so far.

2 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Now Portugal have to do what no other team has done in the WC and that's score in open play against Morocco.

Although Fernandes grazes the bar as I write.

That right there explains their success so far.

Bruno Fernandes should have been booked for diving. The portuguese are feigning injury all over the shop and the ref needs to get a grip of it.

2 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

That right there explains their success so far.

That and they're all athletes, no ponces - bar Ziyech - and even he can work.

7 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Bruno Fernandes should have been booked for diving. The portuguese are feigning injury all over the shop and the ref needs to get a grip of it.

I think the ref is doing a decent job of it so far.

Is there any reason why ITV abbreviate Morocco as MAR and Spain as ESP when other countries are abbreviated in line with the English translations?

1 minute ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

Is there any reason why ITV abbreviate Morocco as MAR and Spain as ESP when other countries are abbreviated in line with the English translations?

Is that right? Thought Holland was NED? Perhaps it's to do with FIFA registration?

1 minute ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

Is there any reason why ITV abbreviate Morocco as MAR and Spain as ESP when other countries are abbreviated in line with the English translations?

Do the others abbreviate the same as they are in English?

Had noticed the MAR, but not thought any more of it.

Portugal are working on this ref - Pepe's dive was embarrassing.

3 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Is that right? Thought Holland was NED? Perhaps it's to do with FIFA registration?

There might be more, to be fair. My point isn't that it's just those two countries but that there seems to be a half in, half out approach.

2 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Do the others abbreviate the same as they are in English?

Had noticed the MAR, but not thought any more of it.

Germany tend to be GER rather than DEU, Sweden SWE rather than SVE (or similar), Denmark DEN rather than DAN, etc.

It's not a big deal, obviously, it's just something that occurred to me.

Oh hello, here he is.

It depends on the team name. So ESP is well known to be Espania that we know is Spain. Typically UK TV change DEU to GER and SVE to SWE but it does seem a bit random. 

Morocco could do without wasting these good positions they're getting themselves into.

Morocco down to their 5th choice CB with Saiss injury.

Attack v Defence now - love it.

17 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Is that right? Thought Holland was NED? Perhaps it's to do with FIFA registration?

Holland isn't a country in itself. It is part of The Netherlands.

1 minute ago, Alf Hartigan said:

Holland isn't a country in itself. It is part of The Netherlands.

But they call themselves Nederland

Much as I’d like them too, Morocco won’t see this one out. The smelly fuckers.