Today it is time to settle once and for all, who is the second best player of Messi's generation?: Modric or Ronaldo.
***** Official World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Thread *****
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Last: 2 mo ago by randy828
I used to think I liked the idea of a stopped clock, but in truth, it would be a false level of precision and lead to lots of questions about when to actually stop the clock. And then lead to more VAR time lost to checking exactly when to reset the clock.
A easy example that happens every game… player goes down in a non-foul event and ref lets play continue for X seconds before realizing it might've been a head injury, and deciding to stop play.
There's countless moments like that in soccer. I prefer the fluidity of having the ref make a judgment call. To me, part of what makes soccer special is the very thing that pisses most casuals off - that the ref has a lot of power and discretion in the game. For me, it adds to the drama, and more often then not, I think refs have a good feel for what needs to happen… sometimes ending games slightly early if the losing team are being rowdy *******s, or letting things go a bit longer if the opposite is true.
That being said, I do like the idea of permanent hydration breaks in all leagues/levels. Yes it's a money grab, but I like seeing the opportunity for coach talks and tactical changes. People griping about it changing game are missing the large positive side of that exact aspect of this - it lets good coaches change the game! And I do think the clock should stop for that large break because at that point it just makes sense for such a large, preplanned break.
A easy example that happens every game… player goes down in a non-foul event and ref lets play continue for X seconds before realizing it might've been a head injury, and deciding to stop play.
There's countless moments like that in soccer. I prefer the fluidity of having the ref make a judgment call. To me, part of what makes soccer special is the very thing that pisses most casuals off - that the ref has a lot of power and discretion in the game. For me, it adds to the drama, and more often then not, I think refs have a good feel for what needs to happen… sometimes ending games slightly early if the losing team are being rowdy *******s, or letting things go a bit longer if the opposite is true.
That being said, I do like the idea of permanent hydration breaks in all leagues/levels. Yes it's a money grab, but I like seeing the opportunity for coach talks and tactical changes. People griping about it changing game are missing the large positive side of that exact aspect of this - it lets good coaches change the game! And I do think the clock should stop for that large break because at that point it just makes sense for such a large, preplanned break.
I said it before, but running the clock thru the mandatory 3 minute hydration break is just dumb. They don't run it thru halftime. Stop the clock, then restart on the refs whistle. Running it three just to add three in extra time, come on.
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
AustinScubaAg said:
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
Probably because of multiple time zones with game locations at this World Cup?
Lineups for Spain vs. Austria
Tres cuartos de hora pare el arranque del partido.
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New World Ag said:AustinScubaAg said:
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
Probably because of multiple time zones with game locations at this World Cup?
Correct. The start times for games is dependent on the time zone. Most countries only have 1. This World Cup has 4
New World Ag said:AustinScubaAg said:
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
Probably because of multiple time zones with game locations at this World Cup?
Brazil had 2 and Russia 4 but used common kickoff times
wangus12 said:New World Ag said:AustinScubaAg said:
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
Probably because of multiple time zones with game locations at this World Cup?
Correct. The start times for games is dependent on the time zone. Most countries only have 1. This World Cup has 4
China has 1 time zone.
Russia has 11, and according to Wikipedia, France has 12 (13 with DST), I guess because they love bureaucracy and having an excuse to eat croissants all day.
France has multiple overseas territories
tysker said:wangus12 said:New World Ag said:AustinScubaAg said:
WTF is up with the stupid game schedules. Previous world cups with very few exceptions have had the same kick-off slots every day. It seems completely random this world cup.
Probably because of multiple time zones with game locations at this World Cup?
Correct. The start times for games is dependent on the time zone. Most countries only have 1. This World Cup has 4
China has 1 time zone.
Russia has 11, and according to Wikipedia, France has 12 (13 with DST), I guess because they love bureaucracy and having an excuse to eat croissants all day.
Yeah France has to be including all their various territories across the world, not continental France...Russia has a bunch but most across the wastelands, the cities are in 1 or max 2
Yeah I don't think thats a foul, but after last night I demand every team get screwed by VAR
I see Spain fouling a couple of guys but none of them were goalies. I bet the goal will be overturned.
wangus12 said:
Yeah I don't think thats a foul, but after last night I demand every team get screwed by VAR
Aren't you an Arsenal fan? Of course you don't think it's a foul.
JK.
Oyarzabal just knows how to score goals for the national team.
Spain is great. But I think Austria stinks. This is ugly matchup that could end up 4-0 easily.
So on the offside graphic they just showed where they said onside, his hand was offside. How is that different than the goals overturned that showed a toe offside?
I don't agree with either, I'm just curious.
I don't agree with either, I'm just curious.
Austria is in this game, just pissing away opps when they have them
arms and hands don't count. Head, body, legs, feet. Since in theory you can't use your arms they don't count.duck79 said:
So on the offside graphic they just showed where they said onside, his hand was offside. How is that different than the goals overturned that showed a toe offside?
I don't agree with either, I'm just curious.
^^
duck79 said:
So on the offside graphic they just showed where they said onside, his hand was offside. How is that different than the goals overturned that showed a toe offside?
I don't agree with either, I'm just curious.
Hand is not an "attacking part" of your body so doesn't count when considering offside.
wtf is Austria doing? At least cross it in
Thanks…I didn't realize that. Thought it was just the body in general.
Austria is so undynamic.
If not for Austrians goalie, this match could be 5 to nil.
It could be that your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. Explains why I come with a warning label. Life is short, drink jager with red bull.
If it wasn't for Austria's goal keeper I feel like this might be 3-0 or 4/0
Their best attacking midfielder Baumgartner got injured in WC training camp. Not saying they'd be all that much better in this game with him, but he was a key part of their attack.Joseydog said:
Austria is so undynamic.
So I missed the first half...is this how it's looked all game? If so, why in the world are they not up more?
To be fair, at least in the first half, Austria got down into Spain's box a couple times and just fizzled out in good areas. A more creative team is going to find some fortune there.
Yeah I've not been impressed with Spain in the slightest
That should just about put an end to this one...Spain up 2 now.
That should do it.
It could be that your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. Explains why I come with a warning label. Life is short, drink jager with red bull.
Maximus_Meridius said:
That should just about put an end to this one...Spain up 2 now.
I don't see Austria scoring 2 goals in 20 minutes and change.
It could be that your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. Explains why I come with a warning label. Life is short, drink jager with red bull.
I mean, it's not over until the final whistle, but the only way Austria even has a chance of a goal is if Spain completely lets off, and I doubt they do.
Not with Spain still pressing like they are.
It could be that your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. Explains why I come with a warning label. Life is short, drink jager with red bull.
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