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World Cup Knockout Tournament.... Round of 16 and on....

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Prospect
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Posted: #126
For those with an interest in history, the World Cup, and reading, this series is well worth a look.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/25-stunning-world-cup-moments
 
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Posted: #127
vanzack good plays for today
 
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Posted: #128
Parlay Nigeria to win + Algeria to win

$23 to win $1631
 
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Posted: #129
You deserved that goal 

Now let's hold on.
 
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Posted: #130
Quote Originally Posted by begginerboy:


Love the France play, Vanz. This was the game I circled for this round and I'm glad we are on the same side here. This is also my biggest play to date, though I'm sure it is nothing compared to what you are risking. Let's get this!




 It was tougher than expected but we will take it! French are talented but very sloppy. They don't have the precision of the Germans. I like Germany if they get through.
 
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Posted: #131
One could say Nigeria got robbed. One could say France should have won 3-0, 4-0. It's curious how the favorite - second time in a row (Netherlands) - played at 70-80% capacity for an hour and only started really pushing in the last 20-30 minutes.

Once France pushed (or equally as likely, once Nigeria realized they are oh-so-close to getting a draw and decided to 'protect the result' rather than play to win), it became clear the underdog would need a miracle to avoid conceding.

Miracles don't happen very often. Nice win, vanzack.
 
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Posted: #132
Quote Originally Posted by MuggsyBogues:

One could say Nigeria got robbed. One could say France should have won 3-0, 4-0. It's curious how the favorite - second time in a row (Netherlands) - played at 70-80% capacity for an hour and only started really pushing in the last 20-30 minutes.

Once France pushed (or equally as likely, once Nigeria realized they are oh-so-close to getting a draw and decided to 'protect the result' rather than play to win), it became clear the underdog would need a miracle to avoid conceding.

Miracles don't happen very often. Nice win, vanzack.

Good summary. This is better than the talking heads and former players ESPN rolls out. Ballak had the biggest "DUH" and low key response Ive ever seen after the Mexico Nederland game. 
 
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Posted: #133
VZ, with you on the FR -1.

On other side of your Algeria losing by = 2 goals in some high scoring affair. 
 
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Posted: #134
Quote Originally Posted by MuggsyBogues:

One could say Nigeria got robbed. One could say France should have won 3-0, 4-0. It's curious how the favorite - second time in a row (Netherlands) - played at 70-80% capacity for an hour and only started really pushing in the last 20-30 minutes.

Once France pushed (or equally as likely, once Nigeria realized they are oh-so-close to getting a draw and decided to 'protect the result' rather than play to win), it became clear the underdog would need a miracle to avoid conceding.

Miracles don't happen very often. Nice win, vanzack.

Yes, well put, it was an unbelievable onslaught at the end there. Suddenly they were men among boys. Vanz is right, they are a very dynamic team with lots of ways to beat you but I was not impressed with their defense. They gave Nigeria too many opportunities/corners and could have easily gotten burned. 
 
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Posted: #135
Algeria / Germany - Over 3 goals 

I've never bet on soccer but i really like this pick.
 
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Posted: #136
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

You "gather" totally incorrectly.  I am actually a fan of yours - in that you are one of several here that I recognize and read.

Sorry I gave you that impression.

(Other than your affection for ManCity)

Good to hear.   Not sure where I got that impression. 

For the record, I've been supporting City for 42 years, so I'm no bandwagon guy.  I'd probably hate City if I were looking from the outside in these days.  

Two more fun games.  What a wonderful World Cup. 

 
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Posted: #137
Well, there's the 3 goals. Too bad they all came in Extra time.

Soccer is much more entertaining when they actually TRY to score!

Teams are just too willing to play cautiously as long as it is 0-0, 1-1, etc.
 
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Posted: #138

Unfortunately, write-ups are looking unlikely - just running out of time...

Switzerland / Argentina - Switzerland +1 -102 (3 units), Switzerland to advance +330 (1 unit)

USA / Belgium - USA +.5 -105 (1.5 units), USA to advance +175 (1 unit)

GL all

So lucky to win France - feel like I might have been owed some luck though....  But definitely grateful for that one.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
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Posted: #139
I'm thinking I'm done with OVER wagers until loser's final.

5-6 goals could have been easily scored over the 180 minutes of regulation in today's games but apparently underdogs are playing their A game from the first minutes, unlike the favorites.

Some services keep sending me OVER bets (that got them big profits in the group stage and that they've already lost by now) and I keep ignoring them. Wish I stayed away from in-play overs but how do you do that with all the chances these teams keep creating?

Ah, the life of a degenerate
 
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Posted: #140
I trust your opinion on Switzerland Van but i have to ask how much is that USA bet from your head or is it more your heart giving directions to your head? 
 
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Posted: #141
vanzack - curious whether you think today's Algeria match showed that Germany has defense issues that might be exposed vs France.  Or if Algeria just had some very fast strikers that France can't take advantage of.
 
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Posted: #142
Go back to your original thread VAn and all that USA love.......JK has done an excellent job guiding this club  so far..

US wins tomorrow and advances.............

All the BIG BOYS are starting to step up...gotta like the COLOMBIANs to go get that underachieving Brazilian bunch... I like your PK "losing next time out"   angle .. 

P.S. USA has the "home hemisphere" advantage....
 
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Posted: #143
I'm not vanzack but...

Algeria played the game of their lives. They defended corners well (much better than Portugal!) They pressed and 3 times out of 4 got their way. Germany were forced to pass it back on so many occasions I literally couldn't believe it. And there were a couple of counters - late in the game too - where with a little bit more luck the African side could take the lead. They played with poise pretty much all 90 minutes. Neither Nigeria nor Mexico were able to do that. (this is not to say Germany didn't have twice as many chances, just that Algeria were able to resist the temptation to hide their head in the sand and forget about even trying to score... that's mental fortitude, my friends)

With all the quality on France and Germany teams it should be a defense-dominated game. Both coaches have reasons to be unhappy with defending (Nigeria were inches from having their 1H goal allowed, Algeria inches from Boateng failing to clear the ball and three (!) attackers having time and space, just needing to beat the goalie). 

Both teams showed today the plan is to advance, not cover handicaps. Would you be surprised to find out both goalkeepers will spend hours practicing for penalty shootouts?
 
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Posted: #144
GL with your picks Van. Surprised you are so strong on Switzerland. I hope you're right about USA, though it was fun watching t

Seems like the sport is coming back to earth in terms of all the scoring, and overs, we saw in the group stage.  Sounds like you don't have time for write-ups but the total on USA/Belgium set at 2 and the over at (-130) I find intriguing.  Love your thoughts on totals and/or predicted scores.
 
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Posted: #145
Van, good luck to your team. Win or lose, the USA have accorded themselves well at this World Cup.

Having said that, I laid one unit on the petulant  Belgian squad -.5 .

With all due respect, this may be the "Waterloo" for a an American side that has already earned the respect of the football world.
 
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Posted: #146
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:


So lucky to win France - feel like I might have been owed some luck though....  But definitely grateful for that one.


I disagree! France set them up and then picked them apart. Wore them out for 70 minutes, and after that it was a slaughter! That was one of the most tactical victories we've seen in this world cup... they look good!

And people need to understand, Nigeria is no slouch! That's the best team on the African continent, and they played with reckless abandon. It may seem lucky when you have to wait 80+ minutes to get the goal, but France knew what they were doing, and you could see from 70 min to the end, they were assaulting a team that they had made vulnerable.

I was impressed, although nobody else seemed to be...
 
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Posted: #147
Quote Originally Posted by yestoeverything:

 
Having said that, I laid one unit on the petulant  Belgian squad -.5 .

With all due respect, this may be the "Waterloo" for a an American side that has already earned the respect of the football world.

Have to agree there... when you break down the US team from a performance rating standpoint, it doesn't look good for this game. They beat Ghana (barely) 2-1... then took a draw against a very overrated Portuguese team, and then lost (scoreless) to a German team that (a) doesn't look that dominant, and (b) was playing very conservatively. Now they face a Belgian team that has one of the best back lines in the world, has two players that are among the best in the world at their positions (Kompany & Hazard), and cake-walked through their group (albeit a somewhat easy draw).

I just don't see where anything they have done suggests this is a match they will win. However, given the conservative approach of the favorites, a draw in regulation is not inconceivable.

Belgium has no reason to expose themselves in the first half, and will most likely take a similar approach to France, German and the Netherlands. They know, if push comes to shove, they will win this game in extra time (or PKs) if necessary. The key is to not fall behind. I expect to see them play conservatively until the 60-70 minute range, and wear down the U.S. team. If this game is a draw after 70 minutes, you will see Belgium kick into gear, and the U.S. will be in over their heads.
 
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Posted: #148
Five? straight halftimes went scoreless in these playoffs?
 
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Posted: #149

Thanks for all of the comments in here...

Sorry I have been AWOL - been dealing with a few family emergencies.

But all is good - Switzerland played well and won me some cash - and now on to the USA.

Hold on.... JK is ringing through - he needs some advice on the line up....

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
 
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Posted: #150
It looks like we are finally seeing all the unders that is normally present in the world cup...
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