Raging Lesser Semi #2 Open Thread (Croatia v. England)

Yes, I am re-using pictures that I deem good luck for certain “most favoured nation” sides.  Wanna fight about it?

Croatia (+250) v. England (+130; draw +205) (14:00 EST, Fox)

As usual throughout their charmed tourney lives, the Cuck Liouns are favoured, despite not really being one of even the five or six best sides in the field.  Plus, with Les Frogs winning yesterday, the “written in the stars” shite will be unbearable.  I shall watch the match, but only the match and only on mute.  Fuck right off, world.  Except all hail Jordan Pickford’s badonkadonk.  Too bad the one man Army that is Luka Modric will be ded-ass tired in this one, especially once it goes to extra time (sorry FOAR the spoiler, but FUCK OFF, I am angry Hippo).

Wild Ass Guess: 1-1 Draw (England advance on pennos)

Balls: Croatia has an unbelievable midfield with Rakitic and Modric but the rest of the team should not be discounted.  Those guys NEVER give up.  You saw it in the Russia game and you saw it in the Denmark game.

It didn’t matter that things didn’t go their way. They stuck to their gameplan,  didn’t panic,  and came through in penalties.

On the other side,  you have the England team that has admittedly played pretty well albeit against light competition. Their toughest game so far was against Belgium and they promptly lost that one.

I feel England have taken full advantage of the opportunities that other teams have given them.  Will Croatia provide any? They certainly did to Russia and Denmark.

Prediction: This will be a tight game with a possible Croatia mistake leading to an England goal and Croatian brilliance leading to a Croatia goal.  1-1 after 90. Then,  Croatia scores the decider in Extra Time.  Croatia 2 England 1 after 120.

Litre_Cola: So what are we looking for here? The best schadenfreude is the English getting curbed stomped in the finals.  I am not sure I want to take that chance. Modric and Rakitic are world class and have more experience than the young midfield of the English. Modric looks to control the midfield and he wont shrink on the big stage. He has won eleventy hundred Champions League titles with the Madridistas. Up front Mandzukic looks like he works at the rent a car desk in Zagreb but is an effective finisher. Can the back four of Croatia keep up with the English pace down the flanks? That is the only flaw that I see going into this one for the murder checkerboards.

Here is a reason I want the English to lose. The betting houses have lowered the odds that Harry Kane, and Gareth Southgate get knighted if they win. Also, Twitter is deplorable right now and when I hear the “It’s coming home song” I instantly fly into a rage. I will admit I do like the viewing parties in England, when they score the beer showers are fantastic. The problem for me is that I really like this team. There is no Rooney, Terry, Lampard, Ferdinand, Or the two Coles. These guys are likable as is their manager who has brought waistcoat fashion back to England. It pleases me that so many Tottenham players are on this team instead of the usual United arrogant asses.

There is a Turkish referee for this match and I really don’t know who that helps.

Prediction: England 1- 1 Croatia, and it goes to kicks and England goes through and makes the local pub have a line up at 5 am on Sunday for a 9 am kickoff.

Croatia’s President Kolinda Grabar can screw me out of my money in the name of taxes, if you know what I mean.

Wakezilla: As much as FIFA wants to deny that Lesser Footy and politics don’t go together, the truth is, sports and politics have gone together like peanut butter and jelly since time immemorial. Even with lesser footy being a multi-billion dollar industry, it’s still political. You cannot have players, representing a country, where their respective national anthem is played, playing against another team representing a country and then be shocked that politicians back home are using their success as a vehicle to promote their own bullshit.

I start off with this preface because England’s right wing/centre right has been the most vocal and benefited the most from The Crumpets’ success. Yes, most right wing parties in Europe have benefited, but, for the sake of length, and the fact I am currently very drunk, we’re only talking about England. While UKIP is mostly just cannon fodder at this point because the Tories—or should I say Theresa May—embraced their right wing populism, which has resulted in a blending of voters and party members. The blend in ideology is most evident in her policies towards immigration, despite  over 90%  of the masses in favoUr of immigration. Her hostile environment towards these people has resulted in decades long residents of Britain being denied access to healthcare, housing and jobs. That’s fucked up.

The truth is, not only do I actually like a lot of the players on the Crumpets’ side, but also enjoy the style of lesser footy that they play. I also think it’s pretty cool that 7 of their starting 11 players are immigrants or first generation players. But for political reasons, I can’t have England win. Not when it’s going to benefit a more intolerant side of society. Especially with whatever is going on in America right now (breastmilk is bullshit and any country who disagrees faces severe sanctions, America? Really?), we need a major power to not be so got damn nutty. This nutty right wing side, is the same side that talks about “Football coming home.” Pakistan is the capital of making balls for lesser footy. These same people wouldn’t even let football in, let alone play lesser footy in 2018. Fuck them with a rusty spoon.

Anyway, England definitely has an advantage as they are running on house money and they have not played over 240 minutes of lesser footy over the past two games. They have played 30 fewer minutes, and those minutes were not nearly as physical or as intense as the Croatia vs Russia match. Most importantly, their entire roster is intact.

President Grabar doing a celebratory dunk dance on Russia’s PM, who is just trying to hide his erection. Imagine her doing this to Elton John in drag, Queen Elizabeth!

On the other side, Croatia became the first team to win consecutive penalty kicks in a World Cup since Argentina in 1990.It should be noted that Argentian lost the third game. Psychologically, going to penalties once is incredibly draining. Doing it consecutively almost makes it seem inevitable that the team will pull up lame for the third match. Add in the fact that Croatia had to fire their assistant coach on Monday for praising the Ukraine while in Russia—in order to ensure Vida wasn’t suspended—and all of a sudden, laying an egg seems the likely scenario for Croatia, especially since they are also battling the injury bug. Right back Sime Vrsaljko, a guy whom led many attacks this tournament, is likely out. Danijel Subasic is going to be a game time decision. I’m not sure what exactly is wrong with him, but, Marcelo “Come at me” Brozovic is still smarting from an injury. He may have to be a sub, again.

Prediction:

Gotta post this pic for good luck

Just like France vs Belgium, there’s a result I want and a result I think will happen. Since I’ve been banging the Croatia drum since before the tournament, I’d like them to prove me right and beat England. Unfortunately, I think they’re going to show up fatigued, resulting in an uninspiring 2-1 victory for England. Kane will score the game winner on a penalty kick in the second half of extra time.

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King Hippo
Reclusive, vulgar Broncos fan. Also a proud fookin' Evertonian. Likely dropped on my head repeatedly as a small child. [Insert George Carlin quote followed by thoughtful nod.]
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theeWeeBabySeamus

So I was flipping around on the onscreen guide and found something called “Jane Seymour Exposed”. It was a misleading title, to say the least. Stupid DirecTV.

Next up, “Dr. Ho Relieves Back Pain”.

GODDAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!

Brick Meathook

Wow have you ever read about Croatia? They were a fascist German puppet state in World War II and were so enthusiastic about committing atrocities that even Heinrich Himmler thought they went too far.

Wakezilla

Current Foxy president Grabar has denounced and combated fascism during her presidency.

Wakezilla

That’s because Grabar makes another thing go hard and right.

Wakezilla

I took a different approach at the office today and got everyone invested in Croatia. I didn’t do a thing the entire time. LoL.

Woooooo!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

How many of these things are getting smashed tonight?

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WCS

smashing tv’s to own the libs lol #MAGA

theeWeeBabySeamus

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litre_cola

Hey England, just like when Dad went out for smokes, the World Cup ain’t coming home.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

The proper expression for your target audience is “when dad went out for a fag…”

Brick Meathook

“when dad went out to suck a fag eh what blimey cuppa tea good show cheerio”

Horatio Cornblower

The last time the Belgians and English were so sad to be in the same place was Flanders, 1915-1918.

Sharkbait

Ypres…that was harsh man.

Spur

The last time the English were this pissed off is when Wham broke up.

Horatio Cornblower

Just as well. No one needed to see this anyway

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bk109

Erm, someone should put the BBC Football website staff on suicide watch, ’cause they’re going full melancholy atm

ballsofsteelandfury

So, did Balls call that exactly or did Balls call that exactly?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I think “Balls’ Call” would be a great new feature for this fall.

litre_cola

We just throwing ideas against the wall?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

It might be an effort to stall.

Sharkbait

Well shit. There go all of my Battle of Hastings and Waterloo jokes.

Spur

Most Americans think the English are so smart because of their accent. They’re just as dumb as us Americans. That accent covers up a lot of ugliness.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

They’re not as dumb as us. But they are certainly much closer than most people realize.

bk109

“Not as dumb”… Erm, prepare a mop and bucket and then google TOWIE or Geordie Shore or *gulp* a Boris Johnson/Michael Gove interview and then we’ll talk (after you finish retching of course)

Wakezilla

Woooooo!

Petronel

WOW!

bk109

MWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA… Football’s coming up yer ase, you fucking wankers!

Spur

All those English tears will be hidden in the rain and fog. But there isn’t much Mother Nature can do to hide the English vomiting in public.

Horatio Cornblower

Thames River: “You called?”

bk109

The ones on RTE are barely managing to conceal their boners atm and one floated the fun idea that Brussels may screw the English over for 3rd place 😀

bk109

Nothing copious amounts of booze can’t fix! And maybe, just maybe if we click our heels enough and wish on the right star Kompany will snap and just go double ankle-breaker on Kane for teh lulz…

scotchnaut

“When you really want to make a point, stretch your arms out and make a weird face.”

-Soccer For Dummies

bk109

“Also, for one on eleven tutoring on the finer points of diving like a Ju87 – call Neymar Jr now”

scotchnaut

Those plucky Tito-suckers might just pull this off.

Spur

Cheer up English people you have Trump to riot against still.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Good point.

And if you Limeys could “help us out” with that little situation we’d be very appreciative.

ArmedandHammered

Should tell the English fans that this loss is because of Trump’s unpopularity in England, so Trump asked Putin to make sure the officiating favored Croatia (yeah I know I am reaching). Trump won’t make it off the plane.

Petronel

And now,

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scotchnaut

Huge kudos to the BBC fella-he’s in the moment and he’s not homering it up.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Suggested soundtrack for England fans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0YCeXldvu8

bk109
Spur

Go the Fuck home English twats!

Petronel

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Potential Hundred Minutes’ War averted?

bk109

I sense that you still haven’t forgiven him for discarding Everton like an used condom?

bk109

Yes, but he was your weak (but purrrdy talented) noodle of a cunt

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“Heh heh, ‘weak noodle’.” – Chad Pennington

bk109

Sidenote: Doesn’t speak well for the J-E-T-SUCK-SUCK-SUCK that he’s statistically speaking top 3 of their greatest QB of all time….

bk109

I know, frankly – for such a “hot commodity” he never really struck me as that good in actual play (but then again, my team used to pay AND play Senderos and Cygan in defence, so … who am I to judge XD )

bk109

Evenin’ gents… So, we’re on to penoooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL

theeWeeBabySeamus

Boom goes the dynamite.

scotchnaut

CROW OF ASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wakezilla

Has a team ever won 3 straight penalty kicks before?

Fronkenshteen

Rashford or bust for Engloids here.

Spur

I call that English attack “Charge of the Light Brigade”.

clint greasewood

“Get that post a bloody knighthood.”

-J. Clarkson

theeWeeBabySeamus

I thought the ’18 logo was kinda stupid looking before. After reading this, I think it’s really stupid looking.
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Wakezilla

It’s a typical looking logo: something I could make and charge $50 for, but they got some asshes who did it and charged 3 million to do

theeWeeBabySeamus

If I see this out of context, I’m thinking weird sea monster with odd red pigmentation and three eyes coming to eat me.

Spur

I haven’t seen the English get ahead of themselves after an early success like this since Isandlwana

Spur

Yellowcard for that hair

Spur

Folks. That’s right am shit posting from work. Go to hell England!

SonOfSpam

Or buy me Bonestorm?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Can’t you just share the copy she got for Caitlin?

SonOfSpam

No. Get two, stupid.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

If I’m a soccer coach, every time my kids raise their arms to call for a foul or stand there running their hands through their hair after a missed chance while the ball is still in play I make them do pushups.

Unless I’m Mark Trestman, of course, in which case I make them do…something else.

ArmedandHammered

Go on – J. Sandusky

SonOfSpam

“I didn’t see nothin.”

– Rep. Jim Jordan

ArmedandHammered

“Me neither” – J Paterno

nomonkeyfun

“Me neither. Ouch, that’s hot!”

-JoePa

SonOfSpam

Shocked! (Well, not that shocked.)

scotchnaut

Fun Fact:
Rashford’s favourite band is The Hives.

SonOfSpam

You’ve just been itching to use that joke.

scotchnaut

Feels like England is the skinny kid on the seesaw-they have no control over the situation and are hanging on for their lives.

ArmedandHammered

Holy shite, if England loses on PKs…….HaHaHa

nomonkeyfun

Would it hurt more to lose to the Frogs or the Wogs on PKs?

ArmedandHammered

My boss who is English said “I am so glad we don’t have this hang up about PK’s anymore. Glad we got that monkey off our back.” That is why I want them to lose on PKs. I do like my boss, but I would just love the future existential dread of future PKs.