Bitcointalk's FIFA World Cup Pool Discussion Thread

[Barcode_]

Russia are looking pretty good in this world cup tournament, I guess the home ground advantage with the home fans cheering for the team really helps to boosts up a lot of confidence for the Russian players, despite Mohamed Salah playing in this match against Russia, Egypt are still unable to overcome the mighty Russian and became the first team to be eliminated from this tournament.

[LTU_btc]

I'm really disappointed about Poland performance. They played nice football in Euro 2016 and World Cup qualifiers, but today they played terrible, Lewandowski was invisible.
Egypt already eliminated after first two games. I'm really impressed how Russia are playing, I understimated their team before tournament, even mostly Russian fans didn't expected that their team can reach next round. Actually, I think that referee had to give second penalty when Russian player fouled. But anyway, so far we can't complain about referees, they didn't made big mistakes, VAR helps them a lot.
Japan beat Columbia 2:1 after Moreno got red card in 3rd minute and penalty was given. But in my opinion, Columbia had decent match, despite that they had only 10 players on pitch and started match without James Rordigues who had small injury.

[hilariousetc]

The ref made a bad decision waving the player to come back on when he did. Gifted them they goal as you could see the Polish defender was obvious to him being there.

How was that a bad decision from the ref?

If anything the whole thing was a bunch of mistakes from Poland: laughable mistake from Krychowiak (horrendous backpass...wtf was he trying to do?), then the oblivious polish defender thought there was no one around so he stopped running, a second later he saw Niang but it was too late, Szczesny realized his teammate was on another dimension so he started running but Niang got to the ball first...in conclusion, correct call from the ref, great reaction from Niang, crucial mistake by Poland for not being aware of what's happening on the pitch.

Yes, Poland made mistakes but the backpass probably wouldn't have happened if they knew there was a player there. He shouldn't have been waived on at such a time. He was off the pitch and out of play and was waived on whilst the ball was in the air and Poland were oblivious which gave Senegal a huge advantage which they unfairly capitalised on. The Senegal player was past the last defender so how are you meant to know about that? He essentially sneaked on.

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticSCCR/status/1009109694907076609

I also did not notice that I can get extra points from the bonus points and from the Joker. Any clues on how many points we can earn from the bonus points?

It tells you how many potential points you can get when you make your prediction.

Russia are looking pretty good in this world cup tournament, I guess the home ground advantage with the home fans cheering for the team really helps to boosts up a lot of confidence for the Russian players, despite Mohamed Salah playing in this match against Russia, Egypt are still unable to overcome the mighty Russian and became the first team to be eliminated from this tournament.

I wouldn't give them too much credit. They've played shit teams and will probably go straight out in the group stage as they'll be facing likely Spain or Portugal. Lets see how they fare against Uruguay in their last game.

[tokeweed]

^  Yup.  I got Uruguay and Russia to go thru to the KO stages in that group.

And I'm hoping to get more points from the bracket challenge...  Anybody care to share their brackets?

Edit:  Here's mine:

[hilariousetc]

^  Yup.  I got Uruguay and Russia to go thru to the KO stages in that group.

I also had Uruguay and Russia to go through and in that order. I would have probably backed Egypt second had Salah been fit from the start, but even still, home advantage is usually a huge boost and Russia might even finish top of their group right now, but I think Uruguay should finish them off.

And I'm hoping to get more points from the bracket challenge...  Anybody care to share their brackets?

Sure. No harm in that since we can't change it: https://bracketchallenge.fifa.com/bracket/prediction/1c46aa425934ebd72908

[tokeweed]

^  Pretty much the same except for a couple matches or so past the KO stages. 

You really think Germany can win back to back WC trophies, or it just happened when you were doing your bracket? 

I admit, my bracket past the KO stage was based on how I felt at that time.  Lol.  'I pick this and this and this...'. 

[hilariousetc]

^  Pretty much the same except for a couple matches or so past the KO stages. 

You really think Germany can win back to back WC trophies, or it just happened when you were doing your bracket? 

Well they probably won't now if they play like they did verses Mexico. I think I chose Brazil on my other one and would have chose them if I could have edited it before but you couldn't. They haven't done much either.. Spain and Portugal have probably been by far the better teams so far.

I admit, my bracket past the KO stage was based on how I felt at that time.  Lol.  'I pick this and this and this...'. 

Well how else are you meant to play it? 

[BitcoinSupremo]

Anyone got a correct result from Uruguay, highly doubt it but still there is Spain left to play. Seems like another day just like yesterday games without many people getting correct scores. I also have Uruguay and Russia for the group A to come out on top but to lazy to go and find how are my other groups in the bracket challenge. Only thing I remember is Brazil vs Spain in final.

[Barcode_]

As I expected, another boring game from Iran vs Spain, it seems that Iran are still sticking to their same defensive strategy again, while hoping for their opponents to get frustrated and commit mistakes so Iran can punish it, despite Spain dominating the ball possession in the first half, they still can't break through Iran solid defense. I wonder if Spain are able to break Iran down in the second half of the match?

[BitcoinSupremo]

As I expected, another boring game from Iran vs Spain, it seems that Iran are still sticking to their same defensive strategy again, while hoping for their opponents to get frustrated and commit mistakes so Iran can punish it, despite Spain dominating the ball possession in the first half, they still can't break through Iran solid defense. I wonder if Spain are able to break Iran down in the second half of the match?

Based on what you say I should probably use the Cashout button right now as I only need Spain to win in order to have a winning ticket with Portugal draw no bet, Uruguay win and Spain win. I have the option to Cashout right now but it is only 0.0005 btc win while if I wait it is 0.003 btc win. I think Spain will win but I am a bit worried seeing first half performance.

[Welsh]

I missed predicting any results today due to having some internet problems at home. Fortunately, I predicted the correct score for Senegal, and hopefully that's at least saved me a little bit.

Senegal are currently my underdogs of the tournament as they have some real players in the team.

[Joca97]

Please update my username in the OP
I dont see my name

Thank you

[tomahawk9]

3 boring games today, highlight was definitely Milad Mohammadi's attempt to throw-in vs Spain...did you guys see it? the guy tried to do a front flip or whatever but failed miserably...best moment in the WC so far.

As I expected, another boring game from Iran vs Spain, it seems that Iran are still sticking to their same defensive strategy again, while hoping for their opponents to get frustrated and commit mistakes so Iran can punish it, despite Spain dominating the ball possession in the first half, they still can't break through Iran solid defense. I wonder if Spain are able to break Iran down in the second half of the match?

Spain was pretty shite today. I have Spain in the final for the bracket challenge, now I'm regreting it.

[LTU_btc]

3 boring games today, highlight was definitely Milad Mohammadi's attempt to throw-in vs Spain...did you guys see it? the guy tried to do a front flip or whatever but failed miserably...best moment in the WC so far.

Indeed, it was boring day in World Cup today and I haven't got many points :/
It was epic moment, especially because it was last minute of match and Irang urgently needed for a goal.
And dive of Pepe was also fun moment (it reminds me El Clasico matches)

So far there was 5 own goals and 10(!) penalties awarded. Pretty big numbers, not sure about penalties, but I can't remember World Cup with so many own goals scored.

[BitcoinSupremo]

As I expected, another boring game from Iran vs Spain, it seems that Iran are still sticking to their same defensive strategy again, while hoping for their opponents to get frustrated and commit mistakes so Iran can punish it, despite Spain dominating the ball possession in the first half, they still can't break through Iran solid defense. I wonder if Spain are able to break Iran down in the second half of the match?

Based on what you say I should probably use the Cashout button right now as I only need Spain to win in order to have a winning ticket with Portugal draw no bet, Uruguay win and Spain win. I have the option to Cashout right now but it is only 0.0005 btc win while if I wait it is 0.003 btc win. I think Spain will win but I am a bit worried seeing first half performance.

Spain seems to be way more strategic and advancing than Iran is. And OMG, have you seen that supposedly lucky shot from Iran, nearly equaling up to Spain? Too bad that goal didn't count, so overall Spain did get Iran with Diego's goal I hope you placed you're bet on Spain

Yes I won the bet yesterday meanwhile have a long ticket with many games. I have the possibility to cashout right now but it is not worth. I am waiting for Argentina to win tonight then I will cashout directly, also France to win. Yesterday predictions I guess no one got any correct result so let's see what happens today.

[hilariousetc]

3 boring games today, highlight was definitely Milad Mohammadi's attempt to throw-in vs Spain...did you guys see it? the guy tried to do a front flip or whatever but failed miserably...best moment in the WC so far.

I only wish he had gone through with it and failed epicly. There's been quite a lot of bad/ fowl throws this tournament and the ref hasn't pulled a single one of them up yet.  https://twitter.com/hoeyp18/status/1007653759508500488

As I expected, another boring game from Iran vs Spain, it seems that Iran are still sticking to their same defensive strategy again, while hoping for their opponents to get frustrated and commit mistakes so Iran can punish it, despite Spain dominating the ball possession in the first half, they still can't break through Iran solid defense. I wonder if Spain are able to break Iran down in the second half of the match?

All of yesterdays games were pretty dull and they were all quite lucky to scrape wins especially Spain which was practically an own goal. I was really looking forward to the Spain and Portugal games given how they played each other in the first round but I think they both got too complacent. The tournament is very open right now and I wouldn't put money on any team as it stands. I could even see an underdog winning or going very far.

I missed predicting any results today due to having some internet problems at home. Fortunately, I predicted the correct score for Senegal, and hopefully that's at least saved me a little bit.

Senegal are currently my underdogs of the tournament as they have some real players in the team.

Fill in all your scores now. You can change them all at a later date but at least if you forget or can't put them in for whatever reason then you still have something down.

Can anyone choose a joker match for today's games? The option doesn't seem to be there.

[tomahawk9]

I'm having a hard time trying to predict the scores today in the Match Predictor. Argentina vs Croatia, I just don't know what to choose, Argentina have the potential to win any match with the likes of Messi & co, but they've been playing so bad lately that I wouldn't be surprised if they lose today. Peru vs France, Peru played really good in the first match, they just weren't clinical enough, if they can fix that they can win today. On the other hand, France barely got the win against Australia but they have such a strong/quality squad that I think we could see something like 4-0...

3 boring games today, highlight was definitely Milad Mohammadi's attempt to throw-in vs Spain...did you guys see it? the guy tried to do a front flip or whatever but failed miserably...best moment in the WC so far.

I only wish he had gone through with it and failed epicly. There's been quite a lot of bad/ fowl throws this tournament and the ref hasn't pulled a single one of them up yet.  https://twitter.com/hoeyp18/status/1007653759508500488

LOL the underdogs are providing us with good entertainment, though that one wasn't as spectacular as Mohammadi's...6/10

Can anyone choose a joker match for today's games? The option doesn't seem to be there.

I can.

[BitcoinSupremo]

Denmark winning so far and looks like it will be an easy win for them. Unfortunately for me I predicted only 1-0 win for Denmark a score which will surely change seeing the game. As for Argentina I predict a win today and even bet on them to win the World Cup because the odd of 11 is irresistable for me.

[SyGambler]

with today draw , I got my 2nd right score prediction for this world cup and glad my read was right since I backed the draw bet and under 2.5 goals as well
moving to France vs Peru , I started to believe that this world cup is boring and the teams aren't playing real football
it's like teams are not playing for the win but are playing for not to lose , so I guess France vs Peru will have few goals as well and maybe will back a double chance on peru since the odds look nice

[hilariousetc]

I also got the 1-1 correct. I really need to start getting more scores right because it's the only way you can win. You only get a few points for guessing the correct winner whereas you get 200-300 points for getting the score right. If you chose it as a joker you double it as well. Has anyone been able to choose a joker for today's games? It's still not letting me choose any now.