Rousseau

Everyone bar one -- I won't name them, but it's not Gonzo  -- gained 1 point for the Correct Result.

No got the Correct Score.

r_s gained an extra point for applying his joker to the match.

Latest Standings:

2 minutes ago, buster. said:

At the Euros the team had to do more because Ronaldo wasn't really at it.

They didn't really do much in the Euros: they only won 4 games out of 7 (drawing every group game!), and two of them were AET. 

Nothing has really changed, IMO. 

4 minutes ago, buster. said:

As ateam, they were better middle to front in th Euros, Ronaldo didn't do that much.

 

Now they seem to be relying more on Ronaldo to make things happen.

 

What happened to Renato Sanchez ?

It's the same team.

Sanches is a strange one: Won Golden... something at the Euro, got his move to Bayern for £30M, then went off the boil. He was on loan at Swansea last season and he looked awful; truly awful. It's inexplicable how far he's regressed.  

12 minutes ago, RTB2004 said:

thats the sheep done for then ?

Like their first game, Morocco look very good without having that cutting edge. 

Portugal are not great, just solid, see it out, and capitalise on a chance or two through Ronaldo. It's how they won the Euro. 

2 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

I take it you haven't seen much of Flanagan?

 

He's a Premiership quality full-back.

I know him very well. I think "Premiership quality full-back" is a bit of a stretch: He played in the PL 5/6 years ago as a 19 year-old, when Liverpool had numerous injuries. He was last playing for Bolton, sporadically, as they were nearly relegated. 

That doesn't mean I don't think he'd be a good signing. In terms of quality, yes. His off-field problems concern me; I'm not sure I want anything to do with him.

I have a problem with the definition of 'good player', as it can mean different things to different people. It also depends on what type of player a team needs -- a 'good' forward doesn't necessarily need to be a goalscorer, for example.   

Overlooking the pedantry, I think on paper they look good: of sufficient quality, the right profile, age (generally) and they're filling the areas of the pitch that need improving. 

However, I think we'll need to wait to see them play first before we know if they're 'good' enough.

22 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Female commentator on the Portugal game (they're 1-0 up).  

 

Sound down, music on.  

I don't have  problem with female pundits/commentators per se...

Isa Guha ?

...as long as they know their stuff, and are good at it. However, that commentator on the Portugal game is grating, cliched and cold. 

1 hour ago, Gonzo79 said:

Flanagan is a better full back than the ones we currently have.

Tavernier is better.

Today's matches are:

Portugal-Morocco

Uruguay-Saudi Arabia  

Iran-Spain

The majority gained points in the Russia-Egypt game, with a few jokers baring fruit.

Rousseau, onevision, Bill, compo, Whosthedado, Franc, Yorkie, Gaffer, buster, Barebear, Johnnyk, UKCrazyhorse, coop, Malang, BEARGER, TB, FS and Sindarin gained 1 point for the Correct Result.

Crimson Dynamo and r_s gained 3 points for the Correct Score.

UKCrazyhorse and Coop gained an extra 1 point for applying their joker.

Finally, Crimson Dynamo gained an extra 3 points for applying his joker to his Correct Score!

Latest Standings:

Table after the first round of matches:

12 hours ago, TheUKCrazyhorse said:

I don't want to be 'that guy', but am I missing points from the Japan game? Had that down as 2-1 to Japan...

Amended. Apologies.

(You are now 'that guy'... )

1 minute ago, Gonzo79 said:

That's been me since the tournament started.  I've got Egypt to win 2-1 tonight, so expect Russia to win.

Everyone changing their predictions like...

Those last two games were strange: Columbia looked a better side than Japan, but shot themselves in the foot with the penalty and red card; and on paper, Poland looked like a sure bet against Senegal, but played poorly and gifted Senegal 2 goals.

When you're on course for a zero point day...

Only one player picked up points from the Poland-Senegal match:

Craig, with a Correct Score, picking up 3 points.

Latest Standings:

15 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I'm having another 0 points day.  

 

Poland and Columbia are a set of *****!

I agree...

We have 2 players picking up points, and they're both Correct Scores.

Malangsob and Gaffer gain 3 points.

Latest Standings:

Japan win 1-2.

@Malangsob and @ranger_syntax still haven't made their predictions for the next round of matches.

You have until 19:00 -- around 4 hours.

29 minutes ago, craig said:

I'm starting to get a man crush on Gerrard

1-1. 

Japan look really poor, and that's against 10-men.

Japan leading 0-1, with Columbia down to 10-men!!

England were quite impressive in that first half, then seemed to wilt under the mental pressure in the second.