Your “Syndicate
Hangover” is proudly presented by “Heineken 0.0”
All of the calories
and none of the intoxication!
This dog don’t bite ;
)
Day 16: Recap
Record—
Spread: 20-30
Straight up: 28-16-6
Hot
Girl Standings
Country
|
Tally
|
Games Played
|
Sweden
|
35
|
3
|
Argentina
|
34
|
4 (finished)
|
Poland
|
32
|
3 (finished)
|
Brazil
|
32
|
3
|
Iceland
|
31
|
3 (finished)
|
Germany
|
31
|
3 (finished)
|
Columbia
|
30
|
3
|
Mexico
|
30
|
3
|
Russia
|
29
|
3
|
Portugal
|
29
|
4 (finished)
|
South Korea
|
28
|
3 (finished)
|
Spain
|
28
|
3
|
France
|
26
|
4
|
Nigeria
|
24
|
3 (finished)
|
Croatia
|
23
|
3
|
Senegal
|
23
|
3 (finished)
|
Belgium
|
23
|
3
|
Iran
|
22
|
3 (finished)
|
Japan
|
21
|
3
|
Egypt
|
21
|
3 (finished)
|
Switzerland
|
21
|
3
|
Uruguay
|
20
|
4
|
Tunisia
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
Australia
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
Costa Rica
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
Serbia
|
19
|
3 (finished)
|
Denmark
|
19
|
3
|
Morocco
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
Peru
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
England
|
16
|
3
|
Panama
|
13
|
3 (finished)
|
Saudi Arabia
|
11
|
3 (finished)
|
Rollicking start to the Knockouts, eh brothers? Loved every
bit of this day, even if I still passive-aggressively mourn for the Fatherland.
In a day full of breathtaking goals, watching Ronaldo help up Cavani remains my
favorite moment.
To think everyone just wanted to label him a narcissistic
clown. It’s called youth. He’s always been a disciplined workhorse and lionhearted
leader. Yes, I’m aware of the tax evasion charges, the Trump Tower lease, and
the Spiegel article. Not saying he’s a perfect person. He is, however, the most
complete footballer ever.
S.S.S.
Tactical Breakdown 
Les Bleaus want to give us all the impression that they’ve
been deliberately suppressing their true potential all this time. Are they
finally coming alive when it truly counts?
We’ve been tracking La Celeste heavily throughout this
Summer’s journey. Can a traditional 4-4-2 carry a bizarre nation of three
million to their first title since the days of leather volleyballs and
thirteen-team tournaments?
Your friendly bookie may not have the answer to such
questions, but he liked to break it down anyway.
Lineup—France—Match
Four—(Projected) (4-2-3-1) (6/29/18)
Kylian Mbappe
|
Antoine Griezman Thomas Lemar
|
Paul Pogba
|
Steven
N’Zonzi N’Golo Kante
|
L. Hernandez S. Umtiti R. Varane B. Pavard
|
Hugo Lloris
|
Lineup—France—Match
Four—(Actual) (4-2-3-1) (6/30/18)
Oliver Giroud
|
Blaise Matuidi Antoine Griezman Kylian Mbappe
|
Paul
Pogba N’Golo Kante
|
Lucas Hernandez
Benajamin Pavard
|
Samuel Umtiti Raphael Varane
|
Hugo Lloris
|
Dechamps clearly believes he has found his best team. No
bluffing on his part. As much smack as this independent oddsmaker has been talking
about the inexperienced fullbacks, I have to admit that the former French
captain appears to have a good eye for form. Maybe he was playing the long game
all along.
We musn’t forget that young Joshua Kimmich and Jonas Hector
were virtually uncapped for the German National Side prior to Euro 2016. The
pair linked up wonderfully with that gorgeous switch and finish for the 57th
minute equalizer. Pavard’s tomahawk was even more stunning than the one from
Nacho Fernandez on the tournament’s second day.
He’s found a home for Mbappe on the right, though he often
switched fields and played alongside Giroud for long stretches too. Matuidi
appears to be the permanent solution in midfield once he returns from suspension. He factored in famously in
both of Mbappe’s goals. Griezman’s best contribution was often getting out of
the way. Never thought I’d write such a sentence.
Surprisingly quiet match from Pogba. He even got caught
ball-watching on that second Argentina goal. Probably doesn’t matter. He’s
carried the team up to this point in the competition. Perhaps he was simply
focused on holding a strict axis with Kante to stop the Argentine short game.
Not to minimize such a breakout performance, but they were
playing a very slow and porous team. Deschamps has to find a better striker as he
prepares to crack the tough Uruguayan defense. Mbappe won’t be able to have
another field day.
Lineup—Uruguay—Match
Four—(Projected) (4-4-2) (6/29/18)
Edinson
Cavani Luis Suarez
|
Cristian
Rodriguez Nahi Nandez
|
Rodrigo
Betancur Matias Vecino
|
Martin Caceras Sebastian Coates
|
Diego Godin Jose Gimenez
|
Fernando Muslera
|
Lineup—Uruguay—Match
Four—(Actual) (4-4-2) (6/30/18)
Edinson
Cavani Luis Suarez
|
Rodrigo Betancur Nahi Nandez
|
Matias Vecino Lucas Torreira
|
Diego Laxalt Martin Caceras
|
Diego Godin Jose Gimenez
|
Fernando Muslera
|
Interesting. I suppose Caceras can play just about anywhere
on that back line. Didn’t expect to Laxalt all the way back there, but that
appeared to be just a dummy switch to allow Suarez to creep over to the left.
Betancur and Nandez continue to impress. Two footballers I
really hadn’t heard much about prior to this competition do a fine job of
feeding the striking behemoth. Of course, it still really comes down to one of
the game’s best ever striking tandems. The way they crisscrossed for that
opening goal. Lord! Label that the “Cross-Field” give-and-go. One won’t see
that from most any other pair.
Torreira and Betancur were spotted up front on occasion. They
didn’t stay there for very long. Tournament fortunes rest completely on the two
traditionally placed strikers and the two stay-at-home centerbacks. In a WM
defined by cutting edge technology and innovative formations, something more
common can carry the day in the end.
S.S.S.
Salute to Fallen Comrades
Argentina—“La
Albiceleste”
-4
games played
-6
Goals scored
-34
Hot Girls
Absolutely one of the worst Argentine Squads ever; equally
as bad as the 1994 and 2002 incarnations if not worse. Oh man. Argentina fans
may take solace in the fact that this sordid chapter is finally over. I’m
surprised Sampaoli’s departure hasn’t already been announced. Jose Pekerman
wasted no such time after the 2010 defeat.
We’ve already published all three of the Argentine Lineups
in previous Dailies. All that remains is to discuss today’s debacle.
Lineup—Argentina—Match
Four—(4-3-3) (6/30/18)
Angel di Maria Christian Pavon
|
Lionel Messi
|
Javier Mascherano
|
Ever
Banega Enzo Perez
|
N. Tagliafico M. Rojo N. Otamendi G. Mercado
|
Franco Armani
|
What?? For Chrissake I mean seriously. I hope Messi doesn’t
retire from international football, but he sorely needs to retire from
management. It looked to me like he tried to use himself as a false 9 for most
of the match, ceding the goalmouth real estate to Pavon and di Maria.
The oft-discussed Mascherano played way too high up for most
of the match. No logic behind that whatsoever. He’s been in awful form. Not
starting either Higuain or Agüero in and elimination match? It makes zero
sense. If they wanted to give a promising youngster a chance, where the hell
was Paulo Dybala? He’s scored 26 goals for Juventus this season. Pavon’s scored
a little more than half that tally for Boca Juniors over four years.
The quest to end the 25-year-long silverware drought
continues next Summer in the Copa America. They’ll likely talk Messi into one
last go for better or worse. The Dybala Era needs to begin. Trust the Pollack!
They’re excellent footballers!
Portugal—“The
Navigators”
-4
games played
-6
Goals scored
-29
Hot Girls
CR7 has matured into a complete footballer and a class act.
One wonders how long he’ll wish to continue playing for the National Eleven. He’s
made his indisputable mark on the game and knows it. Nothing left to prove. He
has four kids, a new wife, and has now experimented with every last
hairstyle/goal celebration that may maintain his interest.
He’ll surely miss suiting up with Moutinho, Quaresma, Bruno
Alves, and Pepe. No way those guys are continuing. Playing with tyros like the
Bernardo, Guedes, Martins, and Bruno Fernandes simply might not be much fun. I
couldn’t possibly see him wanting to play on a squad where his starting spot
might be in question.
We shall see. He’ll definitely want to try out the new UEFA
Nations League, irrespective of the prospects. Expect him to pull a Zlatan
prior to Euro 2020 should speculation arise that he’d weigh the team down.
Your friendly bookie sensed trouble analyzing Santos in the
Day Two Recap. Something was amiss in his selection. It belied a dip in form
for several key players. Here’s how the rest of the Portuguese tournament
played out:
Lineup—Portugal—Match
Two (4-4-2) (6/20/18)
Cristiano Ronaldo Goncalo
Guedes
|
Joao Mario Bernardo Silva
|
Joao Moutinho William
Carvalho
|
R. Guerreiro Cedric
|
Jose Fonte Pepe
|
Rui Patricio
|
Lineup—Portugal—Match
Three (4-4-2) (6/25/18)
Cristiano Ronaldo Andre Silva
|
Joao Mario Ricardo Quaresma
|
William Carvalho Adrien Silva
|
R. Guerreiro Cedric
|
Jose Fonte Pepe
|
Rui Patricio
|
Lineup—Portugal—Match
Four (4-4-2) (6/30/18)
Cristiano Ronaldo Goncalo Guedes
|
Bernardo Silva
Joao Mario
|
William Carvalho Adrien Silva
|
R. Guerreiro Cedric
|
Jose Fonte Pepe
|
Rui Patricio
|
Just couldn’t quite figure out how to build around Ronaldo.
The initial plan with Guedes appeared to be place him right behind as the
speedy short-striker. When that failed, we saw just about every other option
not work on the right. Quaresma, of all players, was the only one that seemed
an apt complement.
To be strictly fair, they did have to fight their way out of
a deceptively tough group and face the tournament’s stingiest defenses in their
elimination draw. We’ve no cause to write off any of the younger players. All
show promise Wonder where William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, and Bruno Fernandez
will end up after the Sporting CP Fiasco. That’ll definitely shape the future
of this team.
“Riffs
of the Day”—Day Sixteen
Reader:
Fucking Frogs just did a Maginot Line Defense.
Vicey:
13-M with an absolute gem after the second Argentina goal.
Ad….ZING!
Reader:
RyanAir is advertising special “Löw-priced Airfares out of Moscow”.
Vicey:
(sobbing uncontrollably)
Reader:
This game is all set up for a 92nd minute “Super Sexy Giroud Header”
for the win.
Vicey:
Sounds like something he once asked Celia Kay for ; )
Reader:
And the Froggies get caught napping. There goes the spread, Vicey!
Vicey:
Damn you, 33-M. Still pissed off about this. Who do ze French think they are
taking an afternoon nap? Italians! You guys are supposed to be fucking in the
afternoon!
Reader:
Kylian Mbappe transfer?
Vicey:
Roman Abramovich just mortgaged the submarine I’m sure.
Reader:
Bernardo Silva is one quarter ewok.
Vicey:
Fairly confident he and Juan Mata have the same surrogate mother, 15-M
DAY SEVENTEEN--PREVIEW
Spain vs. Russia
vs. 
Have to close this one as we’re getting far too much money
in on one side to safely roll the line any further. Really looking forward to
seeing how this one plays out. Bookie’s projected earnings will go toward
paying his cell phone bill from today ; )
THE
LINE: Spain +2 Goals (BETTING CLOSED)
Croatia vs. Denmark
vs. 
Can’t believe I actually find myself rooting for the Croats
in this one. I’m closing the betting as you guys are just making this WM far
too weird ; )
THE
LINE: Croatia +2 Goals (BETTING CLOSED)
