After those recent blunders, Germany is definitely going to be hungry to take down both remaining opponents, so today it’s crucial to secure all three points without overthinking things too much. Even though this is just a friendly, Sweden seems a bit more cohesive to me, so it might be worth grabbing the win.
Belgium vs Panama remains at 2.00
It's hardly a sure thing, but Belgium has a deep roster; they're a fluid side that creates plenty of chances, so I suspect they could put three past a struggling Panama. I’m expecting a one-sided affair where one team dominates. Panama finished their qualifiers with a negative goal difference. The USA beat them 4-0, and Switzerland recently dismantled them 6-0 in a friendly.
Odds from Psk
Copied. I also took the double chance on the English side. Sweden is sitting at 2.2 on the SS app.
Let some South American decide. Honestly, the only thing that could possibly be worse would be an African American referee. We're seeing penalties and cards being handed out left and right here.
I set up an account with DraftKings, since that's the only place I have one active right now. Per the 3.2. App. I've decided to steer clear of long-term group bets this time around—I’m officially passing on them. You can't really be smart about those; you basically need a ridiculous stroke of luck for everything to actually line up. I think it's better to just wait until the tournament finds its rhythm after the first few games.
Let me see if I can recall. As far back as I can remember, we've basically only shown up for the World Cup. 2014, yeah. 2010, no. 2006, no—though they did manage six goals.🤦 2002, no. 1998, yes. 1994, no. 1990, no. 1986, yes. 1982, no.
I wouldn't exactly call that a strong tradition. This feels more like a gut feeling based on how much chaos VAR might cause during the tournament, combined with general Russian incompetence. They'll probably have to find any way possible to scrape by.
They might as well start playing now, because there’s going to be a penalty today. It seems like every time the FIFA board meets right before a major tournament, they come up with these absurd new directives. The inevitable result is that the referees get completely lost and lose all sense of direction. And let's face it, the whole world is watching. The opening matches of big tournaments have always been ripe for this kind of chaos. If things aren't going well for the Russians, I suspect they'll just invent some excuse to ensure they walk away with a win. On the other hand, if we end up seeing a massive goal fest, then the chances of at least one penalty popping up in that sea of goals become even higher.
Thanks, Samuel Lopez9 👍 I didn't exactly expect to find myself enjoying this little group; I suppose it’s a bit much for my aging back to carry. 🤣 Let's just look at things objectively and see where we land. Leave the fanboying out of it.
But wait, didn't plaza step in for Harold Mitchell4 instead of taking the G spot? 🤷
Samuel Lopez9 said:Honestly, I have no clue what you were even trying to say there. I'll just chalk it up to old-age dementia—though we should probably decide if it's yours or mine first...
I’d also be siding with that '82 semifinal everyone was talking about. No other game even comes close when you look at it through those lenses. A distant second? Maybe Bulgaria-Italy from '94. Mostly because I was rooting for the Slavic brothers back then, against those always-hated Digić guys.
If we're talking about Euro semifinals, though, it’s gotta be France-Portugal from '84. But yeah, those ones from '88, '92, and '96 are right up there too.
Netherlands-Germany, Netherlands-Denmark, and Germany-England. It’s a fairly obvious pattern for Euro semifinals. Netherlands-Germany is just a step behind those two. Netherlands-Denmark is pretty much on par with Germany-England. Don't forget 2000—Italy-Netherlands was legendary. Another pattern there. Then 2008, Germany-Turkey, which fits the pattern too. 🤣 2012, 2016, and even 2004 felt like rather robotic semifinals. Interestingly, looking at those three tournaments, only the Germans are mentioned as semifinalists; the Dutch aren't even in the conversation. In 2016, it was a fairly easy loss to the hosts, and in 2012, it was to Italy. In both semifinals, they didn't even manage a shot on goal. Beat the Germans in the semifinal only to lose the final—that seems to have been the case for the last two Euros. ☕
As for the 1994 semifinals, I wasn't a fan of either. You had the blown-out Bulgarians and the routine Italians; the second half of that one was completely lifeless.
Adam King6 said:What do you mean "hard to figure out"? Just talk about the games listed in the poll.
🤣
What is there to debate among decent people when it's obvious who here just enjoys being contrarian?
Netherlands-Uruguay is a distasteful one for me, simply because I can't stand how Uruguay bullied them in Africa. They've left a bad taste in my mouth ever since. Someone might find that match great, but I don't, and the whole tournament was mediocre, much like 1990. Perhaps that's a bit of an overstatement, but it belongs on the list.
brightpilot6 said:Michelle Palmer6, I actually have one question—or perhaps it's two. Is it possible for us to have:
a general chat thread where we can just talk about things that aren't tied to specific discussions regarding the 2018 World Cup PDFs?
And then, once the tournament progresses, could we start dedicated threads for each knockout stage match to handle the live commentary?*
*these specific match threads wouldn't be opened right away, but rather after the group stage concludes and we finally know the bracket layout.
Also, would it be possible to use some sort of app that someone could link here, specifically for logging scores? It wouldn't require posting everything manually here; people could just update the results whenever they feel like it.
The quarterfinal round is officially upon us. Battle of the Blockbusters: The Big Lebowski (1998) vs... The Godfather (1972) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) I suppose we're looking at a showdown between this film and Schindler's List. It’s a heavy comparison to make, I guess. Battle of the Blockbusters: Goodfellas (1990) vs. The Godfather One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Battle of the Blockbusters: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) vs... The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
ROUND 3: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) vs The Matrix (1999) The Deer Hunter (1978) vs The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Schindler's List (1993) vs Unforgiven (1992) The Shawshank Redemption (1994) vs The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Godfather (1972) vs Taxi Driver (1976) Goodfellas (1990) vs Leon (1994) The Big Lebowski (1998) vs Psycho (1960) Apocalypse Now (1979) vs One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Round 2: Fight Club It’s a tough call, really. Comparing anything to The Godfather is basically asking for trouble, isn't it? I guess you could argue both sides, but it feels like a bit of an uphill battle. Maybe it's just me, but I suspect we're comparing apples to oranges here. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) vs. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Apocalypse Now (1979) vs. [Insert Movie Name] I suppose we’re doing this. If we're looking at the sheer scale of madness in Apocalypse Now, I imagine any comparison is going to feel a bit lopsided, unless we're talking about something equally hallucinatory. It's a heavy hitter, that one. What are we weighing it against? Forrest Gump (1994) Trainspotting (1996) vs. Battle of the Blockbusters !! The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Terminator 2: Judgment Day vs. the competition. Léon: The Professional vs. ...? Vertigo (1958) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) vs. ...? Taxi Driver (1976) Goodfellas (1990) vs. ...? I suppose you were going to finish that thought, but I'll jump in anyway. It’s hard to pick a fight when one side is such a heavyweight. Are we talking about a direct showdown with something like Scarface, or maybe a more psychological clash against something like Taxi Driver? If we're looking at the sheer kinetic energy of Scorsese's masterpiece, it's a tough act to follow. I guess it depends on what kind of cinematic adrenaline you're after. Maybe you're leaning towards the gritty realism of something like The Departed? Either way, I'm curious to see where you were heading with this. Se7en (1995)
The Big Lebowski (1998) vs... what? You left me hanging there. I suppose I could try to guess where you were going with this, but without a second contender, it’s hardly much of a debate, is it? If you're looking for a comparison, maybe we should be talking about how it stacks up against other cult classics, though that feels like a bit of a stretch. I guess I'll just wait for the rest of the thought to actually materialize. Chinatown (1974) Battle of the Blockbusters: Braveheart (1995) vs... One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) The Deer Hunter (1978) vs. ...? It looks like you cut off before getting to the actual comparison. I guess I'm left staring at a blank slate here. Are we pitting it against another heavy hitter from that era, or perhaps something completely different? If you were planning on setting up a Battle of the Blockbusters, you might want to finish the thought first. Maybe you had something else in mind, but without the second half of the equation, it's just a lonely title sitting there. Feel free to complete the prompt whenever you're ready. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) Blade Runner (1982) It’s an interesting comparison to make, really. I suppose if we're looking at how it stacks up against other classics, you have to consider the sheer scale of it. It’s hard to find many films that can hold their own in a head-to-head matchup against something like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Maybe it isn't always about the direct competition, but rather how it stands alone in the genre. I guess it depends on what you value more—tight plotting or pure, sweeping atmosphere.
The Godfather: Part II (1974) vs. [Insert Movie Here] I suppose we’re doing this again. If we're really going to pit The Godfather: Part II against another heavyweight, I feel like we need to be careful about how we frame the comparison. It's a massive film—one of those rare instances where the sequel might actually hold its own against the original. What exactly are we measuring it against? Are we looking at pure cinematic scale, or just the sheer weight of the narrative? I guess it depends on what you value in a crime epic. Maybe we should start by defining the criteria before we dive into the deep end. Unforgiven (1992) The Dark Knight (2008) vs... well, I suppose it depends on what we're actually comparing it to. Are we talking about pure cinematic impact, or just which one had a better score? If we're looking at the heavy hitters from that era, it’s a tough call. Maybe there's a case to be made for something like The Dark Knight being more cohesive, but I guess it really comes down to what you value in a film. What are we putting it up against? Psycho (1960) Scarface (1983) It’s an interesting comparison to make, though I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for in a film. Comparing this to Schindler's List is a heavy lift, honestly. While both deal with profound themes, they operate on completely different frequencies. I guess you could say one hits you like a sledgehammer while the other is more of a slow burn. Maybe it's just me, but I find the nuance in the latter hard to ignore. The Matrix (1999) It’s essentially a battle of the blockbusters between this film and The Shining. I guess you could argue both leave a mark, but they certainly aren't playing the same game.
The Maltese Falcon (1941) vs. Scarface Scarface (1983) The Exorcist (1973) vs... what? I suppose we could start a whole Battle of the Blockbusters here, but it feels a bit premature without a second contender. Are we talking about pure psychological dread, or are we looking for something more visceral? Maybe I’m overthinking it, but choosing a rival for a film that redefined the genre seems like a tall order. What do you all think? I suppose I should probably say something about The Shining. It’s one of those films that everyone seems to have a very strong, often very loud, opinion on, which is a bit exhausting if you ask me. Kubrick’s approach is certainly... deliberate. There is a certain coldness to the cinematography that stays with you, though whether that's pure artistic genius or just a very expensive way to make an audience feel uncomfortable is something I still find myself questioning. The pacing is slow—painfully so for some, I imagine—but I guess that's the point. It builds this sense of dread that doesn't rely on cheap jump scares, which is a relief, even if the descent into madness feels a little heavy-handed at times. It’s a polished, clinical kind of horror. Not exactly a warm hug, but perhaps that wasn't the intention. Battle of the Blockbusters: City of God vs... The Godfather (1972) Back to the Future (1985) It’s an interesting debate, I suppose. Comparing anything to The Big Lebowski is always a bit of a tall order, isn't it? It’s one of those films that just exists in its own lane. Maybe it's the pacing, or maybe it's just the sheer absurdity of it all, but I suspect most people find themselves gravitating toward it regardless of what else is on the menu. It's hard to pin down exactly why, but I guess that's just the charm of it. 12 Angry Men vs... what? I feel like we’re missing half the prompt here, but if we're starting a debate, let's get it right. Are we talking about a showdown of courtroom dramas, or just a general battle of the classics? Either way, I guess I'm ready to weigh in once the rest of the contenders are actually listed. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) The Matrix vs. ... what? I feel like we're missing half the equation here. Are we looking at a showdown between sci-fi epics, or just a general comparison of cinematic impact? If we're talking about pure mind-bending, reality-altering spectacle, maybe we should be weighing it against something like Inception. Or perhaps you had a different matchup in mind? I guess it depends on what criteria we're using to judge them—visual effects, philosophical depth, or just pure rewatchability. Let me know what you were thinking. Pulp Fiction (1994) Braveheart (1995) Gladiator (2000) vs. something else? I suppose we could go down that rabbit hole if we really wanted to, though I'm not sure where we'd land. Maybe a comparison with something like Braveheart would be more direct, given the epic scale and the inevitable heavy-handedness of the drama. It’s an interesting thought, I guess, but I haven't quite decided which direction this conversation should take yet. Oldboy vs... what? I feel like we’re missing half the equation here. Are we looking for a comparison of sheer visceral intensity, or just trying to see which director had a more twisted sense of vengeance? If we're talking about that specific brand of cinematic madness, maybe we should be weighing it against something like Oldboy vs. Fight Club, though the vibes are worlds apart. Or perhaps you were thinking of something even darker? I guess it depends on what kind of psychological damage you're looking to inflict on yourself today. Give me a second option so we can actually get this conversation moving. Taxi Driver (1976) A. Confidential (1997) vs. Se7en (1995) Goodfellas vs. Reservoir Dogs I’ve been thinking about this matchup quite a bit lately, and I suppose it’s one of those debates that never really ends. On one hand, you have Goodfellas, which is essentially a masterclass in kinetic energy and sprawling narrative. It feels massive, like you're being swept up in the entire lifecycle of a criminal enterprise. Then you have Reservoir Dogs, which is much more contained—tight, claustrophobic, and driven by pure tension within a single location. Maybe it comes down to what you're looking for in a crime flick. If you want that sweeping, epic feeling of rising through the ranks, Goodfellas is hard to beat. But if you prefer a sharp, dialogue-heavy pressure cooker, Reservoir Dogs probably takes the win. Personally, I find it difficult to choose, though I suspect most people lean toward the sheer scale of Scorsese's work. What do you all think? Reservoir Dogs (1992) Forrest Gump (1994) Gone with the Wind vs. The Battle of the Blockbusters Amelia vs. The Godfather: Part II (1974) Casablanca (1942) vs. maybe something more modern? I suppose it depends on what kind of mood you're in when you sit down to watch. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) American History X vs... what? I feel like we're missing half the equation here. Are we actually going to pit one of the most visceral, uncomfortable explorations of radicalization ever put to film against something else, or was this just a typo? If you were planning on comparing it to something like Fight Club, we’re looking at two very different flavors of societal breakdown. If you meant to go head-to-head with something more stylized, maybe Pulp Fiction, then we're talking about two completely different cinematic languages. I guess I'll just sit here and wait for the rest of the thought to arrive. What exactly are we weighing this against? Once Upon a Time in America (1984) Unforgiven (1992) Battle of the Blockbusters: The Wild Bunch I suppose if we're going to dive into the heavy hitters, we have to talk about Apocalypse Now. It’s one of those films that feels less like a movie and more like a fever dream you can't quite wake up from. I guess you could say Coppola was playing with fire, and he definitely ended up getting burned. It’s massive, messy, and deeply unsettling—which is probably exactly why people still obsess over it. Apocalypse Now vs Blade Runner Apocalypse Now vs Blade Runner Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Apocalypse Now vs Blade Runner vs Alien The Empire Strikes Back (1980) It seems we’re diving back into the Battle of the Blockbusters. I suppose we have to weigh this one against The Fellowship of the Ring. It's an interesting matchup, though I suspect the outcome might be somewhat predictable depending on which cinematic era you prefer. Maybe it's just me, but there's a certain weight to the epic scale of fantasy that's hard to replicate, even if the pacing can feel a bit deliberate at times. The Deer Hunter (1978) I suppose we're weighing it against Life Is Beautiful. It’s a tough call, really. On one hand, you have that emotional weight, but on the other... well, I guess it depends on what kind of mood you're in. Maybe. M (1931) vs... Vertigo (1958) The Graduate (1967) vs. The Graduate (1967)? I suppose we could get into the weeds here, but there isn't much to dissect if we're looking at the film in isolation. It’s a classic for a reason, though. Maybe it’s that specific brand of mid-century disillusionment that still feels somewhat relevant, even if the social mores have shifted entirely. I guess you could argue about the pacing or the score, but honestly, it remains a pretty singular achievement in American cinema. What's the comparison supposed to be against? I'm waiting for the other half of this debate to actually materialize. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) The Dark Knight (2008) Inception vs. Inception? I suppose we could go down that road if we really wanted to, though it feels a bit like debating whether water is wet. If we’re looking at the landscape of modern cerebral sci-fi, there isn't much to weigh against it unless you want to get into the weeds with something like The Matrix. But honestly, even then, it’s a different kind of beast entirely. Maybe I'm being too dismissive, but I guess some puzzles just don't have an equal in the same weight class. Chinatown (1974) Citizen Kane vs Citizen Kane Ben-Hur (1959) Leon vs. The Professional? I guess we could call it a battle of the heavy hitters, though I suspect most people just remember it as Leon. It’s a tough one to pin down because there's so much grit in that film, but if you're looking for a comparison, you have to look at how it handles that specific kind of isolation. Maybe it's just me, but I find myself coming back to it more often than I should. Stalker vs. Blade Runner Terminator 2 Requiem for a Dream vs... what? I feel like we’re missing half the equation here. Are we looking for a direct comparison of psychological devastation, or just a general descent into madness? If you're trying to pit one tragedy against another, maybe you were thinking of something like Se7en or perhaps even The Silence of the Lambs, though those hit different notes entirely. I guess it depends on what kind of emotional damage you're looking to inflict on yourself today. Let me know what the other half of this matchup is supposed to be. Trainspotting (1996) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Is it even worth debating? I suppose we could go back and forth on it, but honestly, comparing anything to Once Upon a Time in the West feels like a bit of a lost cause. It’s just in a different league entirely. Schindler's List (1993) vs. something else? It seems like you might have cut off there. If we're looking at a heavy hitter like Schindler's List, I suppose the only real conversation worth having would be how it stacks up against other historical epics or perhaps some intense dramas. Maybe you were thinking of a specific comparison? I guess it depends on what kind of cinematic weight you're trying to measure. Let me know what you had in mind. Seven Samurai Fight Club Battle of the Blockbusters: Snatch Jaws vs. what? I suppose if we’re starting a Battle of the Blockbusters, we might as well do it right. Are we talking about a creature feature showdown, or just a general debate on cinematic tension? If you're looking for my take, I guess it depends on what kind of dread you prefer. Personally, I find that some films rely on pure suspense, while others just want to jump out of the shadows at you. Maybe we should narrow this down before we get too deep into the weeds. Psycho (1960) Donnie Darko vs... what are we even looking at here? I suppose it depends on what kind of psychological trip you're looking to take. If you want something that leans heavily into that surreal, mind-bending atmosphere, maybe there's a comparison to be made with something like Inception, though they feel worlds apart in execution. Or perhaps you're thinking along the lines of a more grounded, gritty descent into madness. It’s hard to say without knowing where you want to take this conversation. I guess I'll just wait to see what the rest of you suggest. The Usual Suspects (1995)
Richard Wilson4 said:Believe it or not, there actually is a comedy series that functions as a genuine parody— Angie Tribec. It’s surprisingly decent, too; they've already put out three seasons.
Thanks for the heads-up. I hadn't heard of this one before, but it looks pretty good. 👍
Here’s a question for an expert like bluebison47: During the anthem ceremonies at the medal presentations, all the flag bearers tilt their flags forward, yet the American flag seems to stay perfectly upright. Any idea why? 🤔