World Cup 2018

[Suntan Superman]

Club seasons are winding down, and National team coaches are out in full force as the 2018 edition of the World Cup looms.

For those rejoining the community from a four-year slumber due to a heinous case of Ionlywatchtheworldcupitis, you'll be missing some familiar faces due the United States, Chile, and Italy not qualifying for the World Cup this year. Shame the consolation tournament never came to fruition either.

If you're like me, and in the United States, your coverage will be on Fox Sports, and this article pertains to you: https://deadspin.com/fox-sports-is-h...cup-1825544146

If you're not like me, I don't know who has your World Cup broadcasting rights, but I'm sure they're better than Fox.

Finally, before the discussion of World Cup glory really kicks off, here's a reminder of where it starts, the group stage.

Group A
Russia
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

Group B
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
Iran

Group C
France
Australia
Peru
Denmark

Group D
Argentina
Iceland
Croatia
Nigeria

Group E
Brazil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia

Group F
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea

Group G
Belgium
Panama
Tunisia
England

Group H
Poland
Senegal
Colombia
Japan


I just want Denmark to get out of the groups and I'll be ecstatic.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: World Cup 2018

Let's go Egypt.

[Zac]

Re: World Cup 2018

If you're like me, and in the United States, your coverage will be on Fox Sports, and this article pertains to you: https://deadspin.com/fox-sports-is-h...cup-1825544146

This really pisses me off.

[jb12780]

Re: World Cup 2018

England ends the drought thanks to a Danny Welbeck penalty in extra time.


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[unitedred]

Re: World Cup 2018

You can watch it on telemundo. Even if you don't understand Spanish, it's still fun to listen to the latino commentators that always seem to be excited about everything.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: World Cup 2018

England ends the drought thanks to a Danny Welbeck penalty in extra time.


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And credited to Harry Kane by the Russian dubious goals panel.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: World Cup 2018

I just looked at the game-by-game schedule. God there's some horrendous, horrendous matchups.

I guess that's what happens when so many teams which traditionally contribute to the most compelling matchups (US, Italy, Netherlands, Chile, etc) aren't around this time.

I guess there's a chance that some teams can surprise in their level of competitiveness, but I'm really not expecting it. And it's gonna be even worse when they expand the field.



But, it's the ****ing World Cup. And I still can't wait.

[dubcity]

Re: World Cup 2018

**** Fox. It's gonna be way worse than I thought. Dudes sitting in a room in LA calling World Cup matches like it's BeinSports doing Serie A. Ugh.

[dubcity]

Re: World Cup 2018

You can watch it on telemundo. Even if you don't understand Spanish, it's still fun to listen to the latino commentators that always seem to be excited about everything.

I'm gonna need Rosetta Stone fast pass to learn Spanish in like a month in a half. Smh.

[unitedred]

Re: World Cup 2018

I'm not recommending this, but there are illegal replays/live streaming from skysports and other British broadcasts online.

Also, you don't need commentary. I prefer commentary that I can understand, but football is still enjoyable with or without it.

[Thrash13]

Re: World Cup 2018

But, it's the ****ing World Cup. And I still can't wait.

That's how I feel! I'm still going to watch a ton, although I'm obviously a bit down that my favorite overall team (USA) and favorite Euro team (Netherlands) won't be there. But it's the World Cup, and new stars will be made. Belgium-Mexico is an intriguing early match from what I remember seeing, but there aren't a lot of really solid matches that first cycle.

I'm probably going to cheer for Mexico. I've seen lots of varying opinions on it, but I'd like to see CONCACAF perform well despite the absence of the US.


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[ImTellinTim]

Re: World Cup 2018

Personally, I hope Mexico loses all 3 of their matches.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: World Cup 2018

I'm not recommending this, but there are illegal replays/live streaming from skysports and other British broadcasts online.

Also, you don't need commentary. I prefer commentary that I can understand, but football is still enjoyable with or without it.

Football is better without commentaries. Why on earth do you need someone to tell you what's going on when you can see it with your own eyes? Do you really need someone to tell you "Great pass by Messi!" or "Fantastic shot by Salah!"?

No, commentaries are made for radio and should stay there. All I need is the stadium sound and I'm there.

[KG]

Re: World Cup 2018

Football is better without commentaries. Why on earth do you need someone to tell you what's going on when you can see it with your own eyes? Do you really need someone to tell you "Great pass by Messi!" or "Fantastic shot by Salah!"?

No, commentaries are made for radio and should stay there. All I need is the stadium sound and I'm there.

For the most part I agree which is why Jon Champion is my favorite broadcaster. He lets the game flow and doesn't fein excitement or talk too much. Hell sometimes he'll go 2-3 minutes without saying anything.

[dubcity]

Re: World Cup 2018

Eh, I'd rather have commentators than not have commentators. Even Fox having people call matches from the other side of the world in a tiny office. It shouldn't be like that, but that's Fox.

ESPN had Ian Darke, and the presentation was beautiful and highly memorable. Russia or Qatar won't be able to touch that, sadly. Especially with the cluster**** in 2022.