World Cup (for those not interested in football)

[Wowbagger]

Not seen a single England flag here.  I did get given a free football at Super U.  And a pump to inflate it.

I don't think I will inflate it.

It wouldn't do for it to become all pumped up.

[contango]

I gather England lost, again, so hopefully they'll get knocked out soon and everybody can shut up about the football.

I was under the impression that losing twice automatically knocked you out of the World Cup. Perhaps there are some mathematical permutations of results which mean that this is not true.

Edit: having run many a chess tournament I know this not to be true.

If team A wins 3/3 but B beats C, C beats D and D beats B then a tie-break is required to find second place.

A friend of mine was explaining how some people follow the football more because of interest in the statistics than the game, but as I said that means someone is interested in statistics and numerical permutations rather than a bunch of men kicking a cow's backside around a field.

I gather there is some permutation that would allow England to go through based on how everybody else does although I suspect that, much like other tournaments, the one that scrapes through is more likely than not to encounter a strong opponent in the next round making it more likely their jubilation at "getting through" will be short lived.

Maybe the next relevant game will deliver the result that sends England home. Then we can forget about the football for a few more weeks.

[Tom B]

I don't know if it is just Brum, but there are very few Ingerlund flags being sported on cars this time.  Has it gone out of fashion, or are the supporters just too embarrassed to be hopeful?

Is this a possible explanation?

[Psychler]

England Under 20's have just won the World Cup!  Oh, thats rugby!

[Deano]

Hey ITV and BBC - there was never any real need for "updates from the England camp", and now they're out, you really should pack in the endless fucking dissection of why they're out. I don't care - there's actual football still actually happening, so can you give the dreary England shite a rest, please?

[mattc]

Hey ITV and BBC - there was never any real need for "updates from the England camp", and now they're out, you really should pack in the endless fucking dissection of why they're out. I don't care - there's actual football still actually happening, so can you give the dreary England shite a rest, please?

very very true. Its in every 'king match coverage.

(But shouldn't this be in the other thread ?? )

[Deano]

Meh. It seemed a bit out of place there, and I couldn't be bothered to start a World Cup rant thread.

[Tewdric]

If you enjoy a bit of irony the dispatches match fixing documentary is on now and far more entertaining than watching football.

[Pingu]

Hey ITV and BBC - there was never any real need for "updates from the England camp", and now they're out, you really should pack in the endless fucking dissection of why they're out. I don't care - there's actual football still actually happening, so Can you give the dreary England shite a rest, please?

FTFY 

[Mr Larrington]

Was it just my imagination or did the Samsung advertising-announcement screened just after the Colombia-Uruguay game feature Christiano "No Longer Featuring In This World Cup" Ronaldo and Wayne "Also No Longer Featuring In This World Cup" Rooney?

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

Over the years, there's been a lot of discussion about how to make this forum and welcoming, inclusive and non-threatening place. It's nice we've done such a good job that people can post racist, sexist and body-shaming "jokes" without any anxiety about it. Well done us!

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Racist?

[Mr Larrington]

Was it just my imagination or did the Samsung advertising-announcement screened just after the Colombia-Uruguay game feature Christiano "No Longer Featuring In This World Cup" Ronaldo and Wayne "Also No Longer Featuring In This World Cup" Rooney?

Yes.  Yes, it did.  It was shown again after normal time in the Germany-Algeria match.

"Samsung!  The 'phone for Losers!!"

[Wowbagger]

It has just occurred to me that Samsung, spelt backwards, is the main annual religious celebration for wildebeest.

[Mr Larrington]

It has just occurred to me that Samsung, spelt backwards, is the main annual religious celebration for wildebeest.

Cloff pliss!!

[Fab Foodie]

It has just occurred to me that Samsung, spelt backwards, is the main annual religious celebration for wildebeest.

You Wowbugger, that nearly caused me to spray yogurt all over my keyboard!

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

The World Cup is far too nationalistic for a globalized world. 

I'd suggest that instead of national teams we should have corporate teams, after all most domestic sides already have corporate sponsors.

Some of us would inevitably end up supporting a team of bankers.   

[contango]

The difference between the England squad and a teabag.... the teabag stays in the cup for longer.