Rousseau

I've predicted a Netherlands win, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that the yanks could win this.

Is that recent? I read yesterday that it was just a routine check-up.

50 minutes @lenny3k and @Tannochsidebear !!

You did, but the last two fixtures hadn't been completed. Do you want me to take these predictions, or the first? You're missing your JOKER for the second batch.

Joker?

Some couldn't finish them because the fixtures weren't confirmed. I just pinged (mostly) everybody.

Predictions! @Gonzo79 @Sutton_blows_goats @der Berliner @Franc Ergs @onevision @Whosthedado @stewarty @lenny3k @Ted McMinnime @BEARGER @weebluedevil @Tannochsidebear

The final group games bring more surprises. SRB-SWI: Gonzo, Mal, Bill, Ted, Devil and WB91 got the Correct Result, with Mal getting the Correct Score. CAM-BRA: No points! Latest Standings:

Fixtures confirmed! Update your predictions! First fixtures are played 3rd December.

Mal and Lenny get a Correct Result and Score from the KOR-POR game. From the GHA-URU game everyone except Rousseau, dB, Franc, Stewarty, Ted, BEARGER and Devil got the Correct Result. No correct scores. Gonzo retakes the lead on goal-difference! Latest Standings:

South Korea go through!

I actually thought Uruguay should have had a couple of penalties.

What a game!

8 minutes extra time...

Dafuq?! South Korea ahead against Portugal and as it stands go through! Uruguay need to score again.

I wonder if there's a Uruguayan that we could pick up for a bit of this pashun?

It's supreme shithousery in one sense, but I love the passion of the Uruguayans!

Well, this first 25 minutes is all rather dramatic...

Ghana-Uruguay could be quite a tasty match...

A long piece in The Athletic for those with access: Michael Beale is a master coach and wily tactician, it’s time to see if he can run the show Jordan Campbell For the staff Michael Beale had inherited at Queens Park Rangers, when he asked whether he could attend a recruitment meeting and say a few words there was a hint of nervousness. It was his first managerial job and they weren’t sure what to expect, but the scouts need not have worried. They sat back as Beale delivered a one-hour presentation that quickly allayed any fears. He had put together an extensive document especially for them and ran through every detail himself. It explained exactly what he was looking for in each position, the age blend he was trying to create in the squad and even included training ground drills showing how he works on the shape of the team and how that feeds into the attributes he requires. It was said to have blown away the scouts in attendance as they had never experienced such a detailed brief before. The clarity in his communication skills was the other thing that impressed — when he addressed them individually he had a way about him which made them feel as if it was a one-on-one conversation. [Continues here: https://theathletic.com/3934252/2022/12/02/michael-beale-rangers-manager-2/]

Erm... only one player got points from the CR-GER and JAP-SPA games. Mal with a Correct Score from the JAP-SPA game. (Latest Standings: see above.)

Netherlands 2 - 1 USA Argentina 2 - 0 Australia France 1 - 0 Poland England 1 - 0 Senegal JOKER Japan 1 - 2 Croatia Brazil 3 - 0 South Korea Morocco 1 - 3 Spain Portugal 2 - 1 Switzerland

I know the group games haven't finished but these games actually start tomorrow.

Rules: You will receive 2 points for a correct score (CS). You will receive 1 point for a correct result (CR). Jokers applied to a game will double the points. Jokers can be used once per round (Matchday 1, Matchday 2, Matchday 3, Round of 16, etc.). Your prediction for the Knockout phase will include extra time, but NOT penalties. Provisional Round of 16 fixtures: Saturday, December 3 Netherlands - USA Argentina - Australia Sunday, December 4 France - Poland England - Senegal Monday, December 5 Japan - Croatia Brazil - South Korea Tuesday, December 6 Morocco - Spain Portugal - Switzerland Please indicate your JOKER.