A Clásico and EPL Saturday AM Open Thread

Well of course I signed up for spot duty here. I love top-flight football, in many ways the opposite of the NFL.

The NFL is micromanaged, start-and-stop lawyerball with armored athletic specimens banging into each other—all under the watch of a dozen officials on the field and the ether. Fútbol is the simplest game, almost instinctive. And the players look like usual folk; the clock never stops; and one ref, who is seldom in the way, lords over the action. Some quibble with the “action” part: apparently, some sports fans are into “scoring”. And there’s even those who demand (demand!) a “win or lose outcome”.

Kidding. It takes a special kind of asshole to hate people for not liking the same stuff you like. Besides, watching fútbol involves the bargain that any game will end 0-0. The flip side is that the sport allows an inferior team to keep any game contested and even steal a win with a single counterattack, a converted foul, a gnarly corner, or fluky foosball ricochet. Hell, the single goal of a 1-0 final score has its own jazzy march:

Aside from the goals, top-flight fútbol delivers: the skill with which the players toy with, bend and smash the ball and also how they kick and elbow the shit out of opponents. Yeah, aggression is very much a part of the game, despite the common image non-fans have of fútbol players. For instance, this is Zlatan Ibrahimovich:

And here is how a REAL FOOTBAW FAN would see “Sultan Abragovich:

If you’re on the fence about fútbol (to like it, not on whether be apathetic or a haytah), this morning offers one of the best possible matchups.

Real Madrid v. Barcelona FC – 6 AM Central (BeIn Sports Muthafuckas!)

Well, heh heh, offered. Stupid time zones. Should’ve been an evening game. Maybe it’s a security concern, with the Catalonian parliamentary elections this week favoring pro-independence parties in the wake of crushing… You now, let’s table the issue until I’m less bitter about politics. How about a soft deadline of January, 2037.

Real and Barcelona are embarrassingly stacked. On the Guardian’s 100 top players in the world for 2017, Barcelona has nine. Real Madrid has 13. Thirteen! 1 and 2 are Messi and Ronaldo, respectively. And many are mad that Ronaldo is second (now or ever). It’s a fierce argument, but it gets dumb fast. Ronaldo has the numbers and has won every trophy but the World Cup—and the memerati are still doing that Penaldo crap. Yeah, he won his fifth Golden Boot this year by kicking penalties.

Don’t get me wrong: I like tired crap. But this best / worst, champion / dildo Boolean judging… Enough! These two are fierce competitors with incredible skills. All you need to appreciate it is eyes. But yeah, Messi by a mile.

Still, Luis Suárez is my favorite player [dodges empties of fancy beer]. I hope he breaks Sergio Ramos’s nose, accidentally.

Over in England (with special guest, Wales):

Everton v. Chelsea – 5:30 AM Central (??Slated NBC-affiliated channel)

Regarding the hosts, the boycott continues. This space shall not be soiled.

 /hat tip to King Hippo

 //burns hat with cig

 Instead, let’s all enjoy Antonio Conte in his underwear.

Manchester City v. Bournemouth – 9:00 AM Central (NBCSN)

Cherries go to Man City!

[vulgar machinations, palpitations]

Let’s move on.

Southampton v. Huddersfield Town – 9 AM Central (Rich Folks Package)

Number 12 v. 11 on the table. Both teams average less than a goal a game. Woof.

West Ham United v. Newcastle United – 9 AM Central (NBC Mold)

West Ham is two points clear of The Relegation Zone, Newcastle is 18th.  Both average less than a goal a game. Suggested refreshment to enjoy this game:

Stoke City v. West Bromwich Albion – 9 AM Central (Don’t)

 17th v. 19th! See above.

Swansea City v. Crystal Palace – 9 AM Central (CNBC)

Swansea’s comfortably in  20th place, 12 points in 18 games, TEN GOALS. I saw Crystal Palace last Saturday. They looked great, but they are managed by human Gerald Scarfe caricature Roy Hodgson.

I don’t trust the guy.

Brighton & Hove Albion v. Watford – 9 AM Central (Neighbor’s Feed)

Oh man, this EPL season has a shitload of Albion.

Burnley v. Tottenham Hotspur – 11:30 AM Central (NBC)

Is Louis C.K. still managing Burnley? [checks] Yes.

I remember Burnley; this February they were eliminated from the FA Cup by a 5th (FIF) division team, Lincoln City FC. And will you look at that: now Burnley is 6th on the Premier League table. Well… Burnley has nine wins in 18 games, with 16 goals and 12 against. I haven’t seen Burnley since, but those numbers scream *beep *beep…

Like a… Bus parking. *beep. Psh. Pearls before swine, man.

Spurs are 7th. Yes I can hear the grave dancing from here. But I like Pochettino, and Kane and Alli. Here’s one reason: you play hard and the manager has your back. Spurs have 31 goals—I’m calling it: 2-0 San Antonio.

Leicester City v. Manchester United – 1:45 PM Central (NBC)

Listen Lester: I’m still not over the Ranieri sacking. As far as I’m concerned, the EPL title is very, VERY mostly due to him. Feh.

Yeah OK. I get it. Top-flight fútbol is cutthroat capitalism. For owners, loyalty is a shade of sentimentality, which clouds business sense [spits]. On the other hand, fuck this guy.

Go Foxes.

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Don T
Poor choices, mixed results. ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre! Titans4Eva
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Senor Weaselo

I still feel I need a lesser footy team. For some reason to whatever extent he follows it (basically none) Padre Weaselo likes Bayern Munich. Any takers? All I know is not Liverpool because the guy who owns the Grit Sawx own them too. But that requires me ever watching them.

Horatio Cornblower

I think the Bundesliga is basically Bayern Munich and no one else. English Premier is generally at least 2-3 teams with a chance.

ballsofsteelandfury

Athletic Bilbao

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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BrettFavresColonoscopy

Ok, I like the idea of blaming you all for the LA thing. I’m starting Nelson Agholor, Paul Richardson, and Sammy Watkins.

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

The true meaning of christmas, NSFDFO version.

h

ttps://78.media.tumblr.com/5c8456338edc3e3291cfe03dbafed0d1/tumblr_p1f49vRsYb1udk29oo1_500.gif

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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rockingdog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c-46ze1YvQ&t=278s

Merry Christmas yall!
I’ll be back later….

BrettFavresColonoscopy

By the way, I’m playing for the consolation prize of next year’s FF entry fee, and with Davante Adams ded, I need to reshuffle my thin WR corps further. Thoughts on what to pick out of this pupu platter? I need three of:

Agholor vs Oak
Paul Richardson @ Dal
Zay Jones @ NE
Sammy Watkins @ Ten
Ted Ginn vs Atl
Will Fuller vs Pit

ballsofsteelandfury

I’d say first three

BrettFavresColonoscopy

First three is my current plan. Major second and third and fourth doubts

rockingdog

& Sammy Watkins. Tenn is gonna get slaughtered…..

BrettFavresColonoscopy

WHY CAN’T YOU GUYS HAVE ONE CONSENSUS OPINION I CAN BLAME LATER

King Hippo

you have consensus on first two. Flip a coin on Zay v. Ginn v. Watkins, or pull a card out of a shuffled deck.

Or just play the guy nobody has suggested (Fuller) out of contrarian juju. Maybe it will give extra “Jew on Christmas” luck?

BrettFavresColonoscopy

At least luckier than Easter, amirite?

King Hippo

this guy gets it!!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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King Hippo

We are Siamese if you please chuh chuh

other cat: “you see dis fuckin’ guy?”

King Hippo

I bet on the Tits +6.5, they are desperate and will keep it close, plus there has to be some emotional hangover after running train on the SeaTruthers at their place. How often do you see ANYONE demolish two credible sides ON THE ROAD consecutively in the NFL?

King Hippo

Agholor for sure, probably Richardson and Ginn.

litre_cola

Watson, Aglohor, Ginn.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I like this as a name.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Good law firm, imho

King Hippo

We can’t have our scientists exposed to the dangers of science

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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JFC.

herodotus450

Good to know that Browns-like incompetence happens in other sprots too (i.e. Bournwithnomouth, soccer)

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Is it still ok to not care about soccer? Beyond the mindless hate of the 90s to the curated indifference (until and unless jingoism and excitement lead to US World Cup fandom).

Sharkbait

Sure it is. I’m into it because A) I get paid to broadcast it B) It’s better than 90% of what’s on TV on any given Saturday morning

King Hippo

Lesser Footy or fútbol, goddamnit

ballsofsteelandfury

Just for that, this is what you get:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH1XGdu-hzQ

rockingdog

Yoja!

ballsofsteelandfury

That song will be stuck in everyone’s brain all day today.

You’re welcome.

litre_cola

Absolutely, to each their own. I give 0 shits about the NBA and I am ok with it.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

They still have a league?

King Hippo

hell 2 da naw, “the association”

litre_cola

GOOOAAALLLL to TEH MIGHTY FULHAM!

yes, I know, but I have to be excited somewhere.

King Hippo

in top 2 yet?

litre_cola

No. Not even close.

King Hippo

FIX YO’ SHIT

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Cernovich is an alt-right cretin who (I am not making this up) is currently divorced and is living in his girlfriends’ parents’ basement. His biggest claim to “fame” is helping push the Pizzagate narrative (did I say narrative? I meant fantasy) and getting Sam Seder fired for about 24 hours.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

In addition to mocking the life out of his current living situation and his “Gorilla Mindset” book (which I assume is every toxic MRA and PUA strategy distilled into a series of four and five word sentences his followers can make sense of) the commenters gave him hell about his lisp.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Much in the same way that the kids on South Park mock Scott Malkinson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrrrv7iO68g

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I’ve got a lisp myself. Depending on who you ask (my ex-girlfriend) it’s pretty prominent or (my mom) it’s barely noticeable. So you’d think it would bug me a bit that people would mock Cernovich for the same disability* that I suffer.

*It’s not a “disability” by any stretch of the imagination; I just can’t think of a better word.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

But I’m 100% fine with it. In fact, I think it’s hilarious. And here’s why. Jean-Paul Sartre’s got a great quote about how Anti-Semites approach an argument: “Never believe that anti-Semites are completely unaware of the absurdity of their replies. They know that their remarks are frivolous, open to challenge. But they are amusing themselves, for it is their adversary who is obliged to use words responsibly, since he believes in words. The anti-Semites have the right to play. They even like to play with discourse for, by giving ridiculous reasons, they discredit the seriousness of their interlocutors. They delight in acting in bad faith, since they seek not to persuade by sound argument but to intimidate and disconcert.”

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

If you doubt this is how people like Cernovich treat their arguments with “libtards and cucks” I have a bridge to sell you. So I think it’s absolutely FANTASTIC that people are eschewing the notion of trying to engage with pieces of human garbage like Cernovich on an intellectual level and instead just shitting all over him based on any and all vestiges of weakness he displays. It’s exactly what he’d do when employing his “Gorilla Mindset” to play on the insecurities of women he’s trying to “seduce” (like the one whose parents are currently providing him with shelter).

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Tho it’s nithe to thee him getting a tathte of his own medithine.

King Hippo

yeth thirrr!!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

That said; Mike Mayock is one of my favorites; both “draft expert” and announcer. Seriously; his never bothered me or made me feel compelled to make fun of it.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Yep, Mayock’s legit. I’m sure this sounds ridiculous but there’s a difference between mocking someone to be funny (Mayock) and mocking them to make them feel like shit (Cernovich).

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Do you mean mocking the draft? There is; I felt uncomfortable mocking Mayock. This other asshole; not so much.

King Hippo

THIS. Whimsical nature, no malice behind it. We are just being crass/dickish, but with no malice in our hearts.

I like to think this place is an elevated plane where we can discern such grey zones, and talk it out when there are issues.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I prefer mocking actions rather than uncontrollable characteristics, but hey.

King Hippo

I make fun of Lispy McGee because I am just terrible, but I also praise his work. Wish he was still announcing TNF on NFLN.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

A hearty “Fuck that guy” to that guy

Sharkbait

What. In. The. Actual. Fuck. Did I just read?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Oh, just me ranting about stuff that sensible people shouldn’t care about.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Not really; this shit could easily have gotten people fucking killed. I deserves even more ranting.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/pizzagate-sentencing/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/10/business/media/pizzagate.html

rockingdog

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rockingdog

heads up. The Space x falcon 9 launch has some cool pictures.
If you didn’t see it last night….. check it.
https://www.space.com/39197-spacex-spectacular-rocket-launch-views.html

gotta deliver them Iridium 4 satellites.

yeah right

Vandenberg launches are the shit. I’ve had to explain them to groups of people at a time.
Yes that’s a space ship. No they’re not aliens. Yes we’ve done this before. Yes it’s safe to go home now. Please consider saving money for your children’s education.

litre_cola

So I assume KavadudeIsmail’s live blog this afternoon will save us from all of our families! Unless you are involved in Festivus activities.

Horatio Cornblower

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It’s cold and wet here in CT, with family descending in a few hours.

I prefer this view.

rockingdog

She got that Bikini Body & Booty

rockingdog

hey girl!
let me surf over to you and we can talk!
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Horatio Cornblower

Apparently Bournemouth have a defender named Adam Smith, and I would think that would be an unfair advantage in any English league because he could handball everything and no one could do anything about it because he would just call it the Invisible Hand.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Can’t wait for tomorrow to find out if deviantBastard’s comment is going to hold up for an unprecedented third week in a row.

Horatio Cornblower

I mean, we should change it, but it just keeps being relevant.

rockingdog

Hot take: You should only be allowed to name your kids the names of cars you can afford.

litre_cola

Is that why he is called Marcedes Lewis? Like Sorny or Magnetbox?

rockingdog

LOL
“This is my daughter, Uber.”

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Is that why Sarah Palin named one of her kids “Tundra”?

/is not aware of this being true, but it sounds perfectly plausible.

Horatio Cornblower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdFJ-hFFdI8

Doug Stanhope on Sarah Palin and her kids. I cannot emphasize enough that you should not click on this at work, or in the company of decent human beings.

King Hippo

HOLY FUCK, I should have played this at last night’s family gathering, then people would stay off my ass about how I refuse to engage with others.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

She only names her kids things she doesn’t understand like “Trig” and “Charity”

King Hippo

now THAT is some quality commentin’

ballsofsteelandfury

So nice to wake up and see that the team you like won.

Speaking of, AFLW is starting in less than two months!

litre_cola

I got up, thought that I would listen to teh mighty Fulham and then watch the Clasico! Alas the good guys won early.

rockingdog

dude Sane is fast! soooo quick!!!!! like quickity quick….

rockingdog

Man City Agurreao with the score!!!!!!!!!!!

Wakezilla

Can’t wait to watch him disappear in next year’s World Cup!

Horatio Cornblower

I can’t wait for everyone to disappear from next year’s World Cup when the Chechens attack.

litre_cola

I am with you, my buddies from Zaragoza invited me to come with them and I politely declined. Both Euros that I have been to the ONLY violence and issues I saw/had were with the Russians.

Horatio Cornblower

I’m not all unhappy that the US isn’t going to Russia and I won’t be unhappy if they miss Qatar as well.

Fuck FIFA.

King Hippo

blow it all the fuck up

rockingdog
Wakezilla

It’s too early. I have to work because I’m a suck. Any other poor souls working today?

This pilot should be careful where she does her yoga. A sneaker wave could get her and she wouldn’t even know it. SMH

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Sharkbait

Working 12 hours today! At least I have footy to watch

rockingdog

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meee tooo!!!

Sharkbait

Next week I hear back on a job I interviewed for on Tuesday. So theres that.

Wakezilla

Good luck! Which porn company will you be fluffing for?

ballsofsteelandfury

I am using this the next time someone tells me about a job interview.

King Hippo

I should be working even MOAR, but I put in 12+ hours of billable time yesterday (in addition to 2 hours with family) so my brain is kaput.

If the upfit construction guy adds his two cents, I will have to compile his edits and run a new master blackline Lease, proof that and send out to the team today. But the other thing lingering in my mind takes too much internal CPU.

Wakezilla

Boss asked me to work moar today and I said I could only do an extra hour. I haven’t started Christmas shopping or anything. Combine that with other errands I’ll have to do tomorrow, the only football I’ll get to watch will be the stuff I catch passing by stores with games on.

Sharkbait

Im doing last minute online gift cards etc. Some I have to print out, but others I can at least get delivered by Christmas with the inlaws Thursday

King Hippo

everybody but my mom got $$ this year LMAO

Horatio Cornblower

“12+ hours of billable time yesterday” equals two hours of work, three hours of watching Bowl games and 7 hours of thinking about how much he hates work.

Or is that just me?

King Hippo

holy fuckballs, I saw maybe 10 plays of the match I actually gambled on. For once I actually had to DO SHIT. This was NOT what partnerhood was supposed to be. WHERE ARE MAH UNDERLINGS??

Senor Weaselo

Teaching, but I only have three students.

litre_cola

Fuck. I always watch the Classico. Am now on Pacific time so everything is earlier. Cant argue with the result though!!! Vamos barca.
Greatest ever. Puyol. Come at me.

Wakezilla

Whatcha doing in BC?

Wakezilla

Oh, wait, Christmas. Where in BC are you?

litre_cola

In laws for xmas. In Salmon Arm for the festivities. Will be escaping for a couple days to Kelowna and wine country with my buddies! Plus the Rockets Blazers game on Wednesday

rockingdog

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Horatio Cornblower

I have a soft spot for Bournemouth, because they were the first promoted team that made any sort of noise when I started following the Premier League, (and also b/c I think I recall Sill hated Bournemouth), but my Christ they are going to get lit up like that raggedy-ass Charlie Brown Christmas tree we put up last night.

litre_cola

Heh heh always circles back to our enemies.

King Hippo

there is nothing in the world MOAR powerful than hate

Sharkbait

City seems to be good at this football thing.

rockingdog

Damn. Slept in and missed the 0-0 chelsea match and el classico.
Man U-Leic City doesn’t happen till later….. soooooooo………..

herodotus450

Something called Bournemouth is playing soon though

rockingdog

good call. Man City gonna finally loose today? or what?

King Hippo

Gonna go with “what”

rockingdog

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herodotus450

Ever since Man City got that steel mill they just play so much more liberated.

King Hippo

Keep reaching for that rainbow, boys!

King Hippo

My favourite part of last night’s annoying extended family pre-Xmas gathering that I got roped into – my kid got a present from my sister that I swear to God and Sonny Jeebus are a dead ringer for Trailer Park Boys’ Ricky’s track pants. “Awesome, you got track pants!” I exclaimed. My sister: “They’re leggings

Fuck right off, I had a pair just like ’em in high school. They’re Adidas track pants, and now apparently in style for high school ladyfolk. Ricky rules the world, y’all.

Sharkbait

Everything old is new again?

herodotus450

Cut to: Hippo “accidentally” wearing them one day with the excuse, “Oh, I thought these were mine, aren’t we so similar in taste/size?”
Then cut to: Hippo’s defenestration.

litre_cola

I call them trackies as well, Mrs Cola calls them leggings too.

Fronkenshteen

I love that the pic of Hodgson looks like he just went to town on the coke pentagram.

King Hippo

DonT does amazing work with teh pictorials.

King Hippo

La Liga and EPL have the same competitiveness at the very top as the Bundesliga this season. Yikes.

Sharkbait

Makes for good Champions League matches though.

King Hippo

true dat, need to remind myself to pay better attention to those

King Hippo

Hey didn’t expect I would wake to the dying embers of el Clasico, but there ya go. Viva Catalonia!!

Sharkbait

Happy Festivus

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Go Foxy Soccer, Brighton, and Tottenham