Goooooooooooooooooooooooooool

[Dmitry]

What a messed up way to lose….

[porcy62]

YESSSSSS!

[mjazzg]

2 minutes ago, porcy62 said:

YESSSSSS!

Forza Italia!  Well played Italy. Best team of the tournament

5 minutes ago, Brad said:

Sorry mates 

Thanks Brad. Philosophical here, team of the tournament won

6 minutes ago, Dmitry said:

What a messed up way to lose….

It's football, everyone knows it's a prospect

One other point, the referreeing has been excellent throughout the tournament

[Rabshakeh]

I'm not a great fan of international football, but that was for once a good, league-standard final. Well done to Italy and I second mjazzg's point on the refereeing, which has been good throughout.

1 hour ago, Dmitry said:

What a messed up way to lose….

Sad about it, but that's the magic isn't it, I guess. Young team, hopefully with bright years ahead.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Rabshakeh

[Dmitry]

7 hours ago, Brad said:

Several should have been shown red.

I hate going to penalties right after 90. Perhaps bringing back sudden death. 

That would be even better. Love the sudden death.

[Brad]

At times Italy seemed to have some Spanish in them (and I have read that Mancini was trying to meld Spanish concepts with Italian football) but then they would become a little impatient.  To England possession seemed like a dirty word, rather than working the ball up the field. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by Brad

[Brad]

Anyone watching Olympic football.  I’ve seen a little bit of Spain, the only European team left in the competition. Also caught a bit of the US women’s team, which doesn’t appear to be the same team that rampaged through the WC, with a loss to Sweden and a tie with Australia. 

[Dub Modal]

Yeah, the US women will be lucky to medal. Sweden looks tough. 

[Dmitry]

I watched the highlights of a few matches. Spain-Argentina was OK. France didn't look good at all. I'm hoping an African team or two go into the semi-finals and onwards.

Women's soccer isn't my cup of tea.

 

[Rabshakeh]

1 hour ago, Brad said:

Anyone watching Olympic football.  I’ve seen a little bit of Spain, the only European team left in the competition. Also caught a bit of the US women’s team, which doesn’t appear to be the same team that rampaged through the WC, with a loss to Sweden and a tie with Australia. 

I remember once reading a satirical article somewhere that joked about how even serious football heads who spend their entire summer break jonesing for a fix, and getting excited about friendlies will still not bring themselves to watch Olympic football.

The English football season kicks off next weekend. I think I'll hold out for that.

[Brad]

Spain — the only European team taking the Olympics seriously — tied up Ivory Coast in added time and then scored three in extra time to advance to the semis. 

[Brad]

For Serie A fans in the US, Paramount Plus will now be broadcasting the games instead of ESPN, who, as of August 13, will now be broadcasting La Liga. I think La Liga matches are only available through ESPN +. 

[Brad]

Spain beat Japan today 1-0 on a goal by Asensio (of Real Madrid) in extra time to advance to the final against Brasil  

Regardless of the outcome a good summer for Spanish football. 

[Brad]

Barcelona’s financial troubles have finally come home to roost as they’ve had to cut ties to Messi. 

[Dmitry]

52 minutes ago, Brad said:

Barcelona’s financial troubles have finally come home to roost as they’ve had to cut ties to Messi. 

I hope he doesn't end up in Man City or in the MLS. I despise Man City: the owners and top management are top shelf criminals to me. 

Where would you like to see Messi next?

 

[mjazzg]

Leading Reading FC out of the Championship.  Unlikely 

[Brad]

The front runner appears to be PSG, with Chelsea a possibility.  Guardiola dismissed the possibility of signing with Man City.

[Rabshakeh]

Might still be Reading, then.

[mjazzg]

We live in hope, we have to

[Dmitry]

Messi and Ramos…teammates. Fucking hell.

[Brad]

1 hour ago, Dmitry said:

Messi and Ramos…teammates. Fucking hell.

You forgot Neymar. Having Pepe join them would be perfect. 

[mjazzg]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/08/lionel-messi-tearful-barcelona-transfer

A one-club player, can't see is heart moving to Paris even if his body does.  Interesting comments about the prospect of playing for free and not having been asked to

Edited August 8, 2021 by mjazzg

[Dmitry]

Messi is confirmed at PSG. Two year deal, worth...a lot. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/10/lionel-messi-heading-to-paris-to-seal-psg-move-after-agreeing-two-year-contract

He could've stayed at Barcelona, of course. Instead, he just cried, and left.

[mjazzg]

No problem with him crying at all, looked genuinely upset to me. I'd hoped we'd got beyond belittling people for showing emotion whatever you think of the situation and the man concerned.

[Dmitry]

1 hour ago, mjazzg said:

No problem with him crying at all, looked genuinely upset to me. I'd hoped we'd got beyond belittling people for showing emotion whatever you think of the situation and the man concerned.

I look at it this way - he's got maybe 3 years to go, before we start seeing patently-obvious sings of decline. Why not play these remaining years for a symbolic salary or even for free in a club that have given him everything he deserved since he was a little boy, and for the enjoyment and love of the fans in the city that idolizes him? He's got to be worth hundreds of millions. Does he need more millions?! Paris will never, ever laud him like the people of Catalonia have.

Have you been to Barcelona? You literally can't walk 100 paces without encountering some kind of effigy to the man.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Dmitry