FIFA World Cup Day 1 - El Gassico - Russia vs Saudi Arabia

[BL11]

Ever since my first WC, Italia 90, I've always been a bit of a WC junkie so can't wait for the tournament to start though admittedly, the clash of fossil fuel giants, Russia vs Saudi Arabia, dubbed El Gassico by some, hardly has whetted the appetite in a tournament missing European heavyweights such as Italy and The Netherlands and teams from the Americas such as USA and Chile.

Nevertheless, today's game should see a Russian win at the Luzhniki Stadium and hopefully see some Russian models into the bargain.

Here's to a good footballing spectacle today and for the next month.

 

[BajanBear]

On paper it should be low scoring but my bet is both teams to score. I don't bet on correct scores but would go for 2-1 Russia.

Opening ceremony will be interesting. ..

 

[Hank]

Top thread title!

 

[Caldow1872]

Odds on the Russians rioting today?

Quite looking forward to it, disappointed there’s only one game today thought there was 3 had my day all set

 

[TPB90]

Would have been better with Germany vs. Mexico as the opener. Always used to be the holders rather than the hosts that opened the tournament.

I doubt I'll even watch the game tonight. They are both pish.

 

[.k.k.]

I predict

Russia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

 

[Spinning Blue]

Crap opening game.

 

[SemperParatus]

Odds on the Russians rioting today?

Quite looking forward to it, disappointed there’s only one game today thought there was 3 had my day all set

Slim. Putin will have made sure of it. The eyes of the world are on his country.

 

[Brian Laudrup]

El Gassico

Nice one bruvver

 

[Bayheadloyal]

3am here in NZ for Russia v Saudi Arabia? No thanks

The other games generally are 12am and 6am so will make more of an effort for them but for now I look forward to the highlights tomorrow morning!

 

[Superrangers]

Odds on the Russians rioting today?

Quite looking forward to it, disappointed there’s only one game today thought there was 3 had my day all set

I know, it’s shit. Feels like the tournament doen’t Really begin til tomorrow. They should have had 2 today and ‘only’ 3 on Saturday.

 

[Caldow1872]

I know, it’s shit. Feels like the tournament doen’t Really begin til tomorrow. They should have had 2 today and ‘only’ 3 on Saturday.

Yeah at least have both group A games on, spoiling our day of football

 

[SemperParatus]

3am here in NZ for Russia v Saudi Arabia? No thanks

The other games generally are 12am and 6am so will make more of an effort for them but for now I look forward to the highlights tomorrow morning!

2030 will likely be Europe (hopefully UK) but I think Australia and NZ should jointly apply for 2034. If Canada and Mexico can host the same tournament then why not?

 

[SemperParatus]

I know, it’s shit. Feels like the tournament doen’t Really begin til tomorrow. They should have had 2 today and ‘only’ 3 on Saturday.

Isn’t it always this way so the focus is on the host’s game?

 

[MmmBacon]

Would have been better with Germany vs. Mexico as the opener. Always used to be the holders rather than the hosts that opened the tournament.

I doubt I'll even watch the game tonight. They are both pish.

I can't watch it as it's on at fucking 4 o clock... What a shit time.

 

[Superrangers]

Isn’t it always this way so the focus is on the host’s game?

No. It was in Brazil but the two prior, the hosts kicked off and there was a late game after. I haven’t gone further back.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Fully expecting a dire game but looking forward to watching it nonetheless. Have a feeling despite having a piss poor side Russia will drag themselves through to the knockout stage.

11 games before the end of the weekend. Bring it on

 

[BL11]

2030 will likely be Europe (hopefully UK) but I think Australia and NZ should jointly apply for 2034. If Canada and Mexico can host the same tournament then why not?

Aus are part of the Asian confederation and are therefore barred from applying.

Uruguay and Argentina have launched formal bids and I suspect that England will also bid.

 

[ohstefanklos]

Will miss the game so the world cup officially starts tomorrow for me, day of and three games including Portugal v Spain

 

[Torque_87]

The good thing for me is I'm off work till the 20th, so I'll have at least 3 games to watch each day till then which is decent to keep me going till I get my Rangers fix back.

 

[aghalee_hero]

Russia have had 1 shot on target their last 3 games. Even at this I'm going to say 1-0 to Russia and probably their only points of the tournament.

 

[Oduwa]

Wont be Russian home from work to catch the second half.

 

[Bayheadloyal]

2030 will likely be Europe (hopefully UK) but I think Australia and NZ should jointly apply for 2034. If Canada and Mexico can host the same tournament then why not?

Australia yes and I would easily go over for a few weeks for a world cup. NZ only has 1 Stadium that has 40k+ seating so them hosting a joint world cup will never happen.

Plus the day before the world cup on the news here they spend 15mins talking about a friendly against France in rugby and only a couple of mins on the world Cup. Nz doesn't deserve any place the finals

 

[55isAlive]

El Gassico hahaha superb op

 

[SemperParatus]

Aus are part of the Asian confederation and are therefore barred from applying.

Uruguay and Argentina have launched formal bids and I suspect that England will also bid.

Whys that mate?

 

[SemperParatus]

The OP has shamelessly bumped El Gassico from TalkSport

 

[SemperParatus]

Wont be Russian home from work to catch the second half.

Are you not the poster that’s always having a go at people’s patter

 

[mayfairblue]

Aus are part of the Asian confederation and are therefore barred from applying.

Uruguay and Argentina have launched formal bids and I suspect that England will also bid.

England should get to host another world cup,long overdue.

 

[Oduwa]

Are you not the poster that’s always having a go at people’s patter

 

[Sam English]

A 0-0 borefest

 

[spirit_of_93]

Wouldn’t be surprised if the Saudi’s get a draw here.

 

[LD5]

Going against the grain and saying 2-1 Saudi

 

[omegaman]

If it wasn't for the fact this is on while I’m at work, I probably wouldn’t watch it at all.

 

[Mview83]

0-0 tourney off to a flyer

 

[Go_Bert_Go]

Saudi +1, Russia are pish.

 

[Albertz'rightpeg]

Fancy the Saudi's to spring a wee upset. A lot of the Russian media and public have said this is the worst team in a generation.

 

[Macdonsj]

Isn’t it always this way so the focus is on the host’s game?

used to be holders started it off
think they changed it when the holders were no longer guaranteed a place

 

[Brother Moses]

1-1

 

[stringer_bell]

Heard the Saudi casuals are going to be looking for trouble.

 

[Cobbler Bob]

Fancy the Saudi's to spring a wee upset. A lot of the Russian media and public have said this is the worst team in a generation.

I might have heard it wrong, but I'm sure it said on the radio this morning that Russia are the lowest ranked team in the tournament.

 

[Superrangers]

I might have heard it wrong, but I'm sure it said on the radio this morning that Russia are the lowest ranked team in the tournament.

They are.

 

[TN8]

A great game for democracy.

I'll go 2-0 Russia.

 

[Beer Bear]

I can’t wait for this game. I love the World Cup. Portugal v Spain tomorrow night with a few beers will be smashing.

 

[sw26]

Draw imo, both teams aren’t great so don’t expect a high scoring game.

 

[Jed jed1]

I think it’ll be 2-0 to Russia

 

[oranje-viola]

Russia have some decent players in amongst all the negativity and fear and they have to come good at some time. In saying that tho they stunk the place out at the Euro's and were far and away the biggest failures there. They haven't really played to anywhere near their potential since Euro 2008 - maybe now is the time for them to awaken from their slumber.

Russians aren't really expecting much from the WC and they would be delighted in escaping their group. The WC kinda needs the hosts to have a wee bit of success which in turn adds more of a glow and appetite for the locals. The worst WC in my lifetime was S. Africa and that was compounded by a shite host team and fans who weren't bothered outwit blowing there vuvuzelas.

If Saudi do manage to beat the Russians today I wouldn't fancy being a Saudi / of similar appearance in and around the fan-fests or streets in centre of Moscow afterwards. Can't see there being mass trouble a la losing to Japan in 2002 but they don't take humiliation well do the Slavs - especially to perceived weaker nations.

Hoping for things to pick up match and entertainment wise tomorrow and I'll maybe drop into the fan-fest for a game. Though the thought of standing with 20,000 folk quieting for beers / piss etc at same time kinda dims the appeal of it

 

[Arminius]

The OP has shamelessly bumped El Gassico from TalkSport

In fairness, he makes it clear in his OP that it has been dubbed El Gassico by others.

Top thread title anyway

 

[Superrangers]

Russia have some decent players in amongst all the negativity and fear and they have to come good at some time. In saying that tho they stunk the place out at the Euro's and were far and away the biggest failures there. They haven't really played to anywhere near their potential since Euro 2008 - maybe now is the time for them to awaken from their slumber.

Russians aren't really expecting much from the WC and they would be delighted in escaping their group. The WC kinda needs the hosts to have a wee bit of success which in turn adds more of a glow and appetite for the locals. The worst WC in my lifetime was S. Africa and that was compounded by a shite host team and fans who weren't bothered outwit blowing there vuvuzelas.

If Saudi do manage to beat the Russians today I wouldn't fancy being a Saudi / of similar appearance in and around the fan-fests or streets in centre of Moscow afterwards. Can't see there being mass trouble a la losing to Japan in 2002 but they don't take humiliation well do the Slavs - especially to perceived weaker nations.

Hoping for things to pick up match and entertainment wise tomorrow and I'll maybe drop into the fan-fest for a game. Though the thought of standing with 20,000 folk quieting for beers / piss etc at same time kinda dims the appeal of it

Fan-fest? Where? Do you live in Russia?

 

[alex wright]

Top thread title!

How come Hank's post, simply praising a post, gets more likes than the post he is praising?

 

[YoungGer97]

Think a lot of these shite team v shite team games might produce some decent spectacles.

Then again it could be a bore draw as well. Looking forward to the tournament regardless!