Illuminati-R-Us

Italy 0-0 Sweden
That is very, very good news, because it means Italy, our mighty angstgegner, willbe missing from next year's World Cup.

Arneb wrote:Italy 0-0 Sweden
That is very, very good news, because it means Italy, our mighty angstgegner, willbe missing from next year's World Cup.

My first thought when I saw the score was that you'd be pretty pleased. Should simplify your world cup somewhat.

Indeed. Also, Italy is Evil. There is one man I feel sorry for because he'd so deserved to play this tournament. That is Gigi Buffòn. But then he is a fine guy even in defeat.

Germany 2 - 2 France

in an international test match.

They were frightfully weak in the first half, but came back twice from being one goal down (the equalizer was at 90+3...). I don't know how my esteemed co-sufferers of pitch fever see it, but I'd argue we are not a favourite to defend that World Cup title. 10 wins from 10 qualifiers against weak teams (Ireland came in second!) is nice, but in the two tests played afterwards, we were rather comfortably held at bay by a team that is defnitely not at the top of the world (England), and once almost beaten at home by France, which for me is a REAL favourite. And we haven't seem Spain and Brasil yet (I discount Argentina, who themselves seem in a bit of a rough spot).

At least, coming back remains a strength for us. And no losses in 2017. Beer all round.

I like how they are reporting on this.

A former footballer and the anchor went through the match move by move, later to be joined by the Bundestrainer. Detailled critique of tactical choices, individual players and their collaborations, calm admission that no-one should have complained about a loss, as France was better tonight. No-one saw this as a match for national pride, it was all preparation, learning, weighing the options. Quite a cool debriefing.

Aaaand

Ireland 1 - 5 Denmark

Denmark qualify for Russia. Nice work by Denmark, but I'll miss Ireland and their fans,

Argentina 2 - 4 Nigeria, in a friendly in, of all places, Krasnodar in Siberia.

Rough spot for Argentina indeed.

England 0 - 0 Brasil.

Seems to have been quite a yawn. Neither team made anyone overly fearful.

Interesting lineup for the upcoming World Cup - as a consequence of FIFA'S Uqustionably Highly Competent and Just Ranking System, Germany could play in groups ranging from
Germany to Germany
Spain Peru
Denmark Senegal
Japan Pánama

Which is practically the same level of difficulty, right? Peru and Mexico in pot one, Denmark and Spain in two. My.

F.A.Z. did an interesting imaginary team of non-participants, including substitutes. Isn't that an impressive lineup?

Goal: Gianluigi Buffòn, Italy
3-man defence chain: Giorgio Chiellini (ITA), Sokratis (GR), David Alaba (A)
Defensive midfielders: Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, both CHI
Offensive midfielders: Nuri Sahin (TUR), Naby Keita (GUI), Arjen Robben (NED)
Attackers: Paul-Éméric Aubameyang (GAB), Gareth Bale (WAL)

Subs:
Lukáš Hrádecký (FIN)
Andrea Barzagli (ITA)
Hakan Calhanoglu (TUR)
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Andrej Jarmolenke (UKR)
Edin Dzeko (BOS)
Solomon Kalou (CIV, and Hertha player. Of course, they fucked up)

I think that's a CL quarterfinalist, at least, right there.

There can only be two UEFA teams in a group so the first couldn't have Denmark but there is a broad range of quality.

Poland in Pot 1 strikes me as worse than Spain in Pot 2. The lowest ranked team is Russia . . .

Yeah, but the host is always in pot 1. Why Spain would be worse placed than Poland (or Peru!) is beyond me.

Historically, having used to live there, etc, I would support Spain against pretty much everybody - but can't bring myself to do that anymore. So, I'll have ABE and ABS to support.

Might not be a good weekend for the table:

RCC -v- Sellick

Rangers -v- Hamilton

County will probably lose, if we have any pretence of being a top three side we have to win. So who knows.

Hertha at home to Mönchengladbach

Fürth away to Bochum.

I'll leave it up to our man in 'schland to give his prognosis but I'm not hopeful.

Edit: to put the umlaut back in that autocorrect took out.

Glooomy prospects...

Fuck fuck fuckity fuck.

What Heid said.

Bochum 1-1 Fürth
Hertha 2-4 Mönchengladbach

And Ireckoned this to become even worse

Naeb’dy dain the tally any mare?

ETA: Yes, also fuck, although not as bad as feared.

I couldn’t be arsed going back to check it, I’ll do it tomorrow if no-one has by then.

Heid the Ba wrote:I couldn’t be arsed going back to check it, I’ll do it tomorrow if no-one has by then.

Ditto, as I am knackered/merry after leading an archaeology group all day on a guided walk and drinking all night.

I, on the other hand, am on sick leave and stayed for the familiy reunion only to finish dinner with the wife and kids. Now I've been doing the washing at home, so...

Played 78, won 32, drawn 16, lost 31

This is shaping up to be a really, really shitty season. I hope we can rip something out during the World Cup.

Well done, that man.

ETA - I can't be arsed working it out, does that include all of our results from the weekend or just the ones from your side of the north sea?

I make it Played 79, won 32, drawn 16, lost 31.

From the ABE file: England lost to the Cook Islands (population 17,000 or so) at lady 13 person concussion ball yesterday.

Heid the Ba wrote:I make it Played 79, won 32, drawn 16, lost 31.

From the ABE file: England lost to the Cook Islands (population 17,000 or so) at lady 13 person concussion ball yesterday.

Correct, Heid. I forgot the Rangers match. So

Played 79, won 32, drawn 16, lost 31

it is.

Celtic are getting vigorously PSG’d. I wouldn’d Look out of place in their defence.

Atlétic Bilbao 3 - 2 Hertha BSC

Typical Auld Auntie. Were ahead twice, caused two penalties, the loser resulted from counter after a well-defended Hertha free-kick. Loads of opportunities, squandered with sluggish, slow, fearful and uninspired play. European season ends with a meaningless home game against the leaders of the group, a Swedisch no-name. Sometimes I wish I was a Hertha detractor and culd laugh my ass off at their stupidity.

Played 80, won 32, drawn 16, lost 32