Your “Syndicate
Hangover” is proudly presented by “Heineken 0.0”
All of the calories
and none of the intoxication!
This dog don’t bite ; )
This dog don’t bite ; )
Day 2: Recap
Record—
Spread: 2-2
Straight up: 2-1-1
Hot
Girl Standings
Country
|
Tally
|
Games Played
|
Spain
|
10
|
1
|
Russia
|
9
|
1
|
Egypt
|
7
|
1
|
Morocco
|
6
|
1
|
Iran
|
6
|
1
|
Portugal
|
4
|
1
|
Uruguay
|
4
|
1
|
Saudi Arabia
|
2
|
1
|
As prophesized, we FINALLY got our historic Iberian Derby. Turns
out fourth time was the charm. Wonderful match. The cameramen operating the
global feed can be forgiven for getting off to a sluggish start catching the
scorching Spanish senoritas. To be fair, the match was captivating enough. When
there’s that much action action on the pitch, it’s acceptable to neglect the
action in the stands.
Lovely Spanish ladies nevertheless have a reputation to
maintain. I’ll happily compensate. Wouldn't you love to take the car “out for a
spin” with these girls?
What?
Appreciating pretty girls does not make one a wretched
bastard who would ever consider mistreating them. Don’t confuse your friendly bookie with the
Orange Sphincter.
S.S.S.
Tactical Breakdown 
Happy “Iberian Derby Day”, brothers! As the En Vouge song
goes, “now it’s time for a breakdown”.
Lineup—Spain—PROJECTED
(4-2-3-1) (5/27/18)
Diego Costa
|
Andres Iniesta Isco
David Silva
|
Sergio Busquets Thiago
|
Jordi Alba Dani Carvajal
|
Sergio Ramos Gerard Pique
|
David da Gea
|
Lineup—Spain—ACTUAL
(4-2-3-1) (6/15/2018)
Diego Costa
|
Andres Iniesta Isco
David Silva
|
Sergio Busquets Koke
|
Jordi Alba N. Fernandez
|
Sergio Ramos Gerard Pique
|
David da Gea
|
More or less just as I saw it. Dani Carvljal’s injury
fortuitously forced Nacho Fernandez. Koke got the nod over Thiago for reasons unclear
to me. I actually think Thiago would have worked out better, even though Koke executed
some killer tackles down the stretch.
Magnificent performance all around. The Spanish eleven
proved they don’t necessarily need on-field direction to implement their game
plan. They can manage themselves…for now. The system revolves around the
sublimely slick play of Isco. Good Lord. He’s in superhuman form. Silva works seamlessly
with him on the simple give-and-gos. Iniesta brings it all together, producing
some nice triangulation on the flanks. When those three all get involved, it
almost resembles the old-school “Tiki Tika”.
Costa serves as target man less often than one might think.
Mostly they’re looking for him on set pieces. The fullbacks are given full
permission to come all the forward once the triangles get strung together. Both
of them did so intelligently today. It appears as if Alba is given slightly
more leeway, but Fernandez was sighted well inside the 18 several times to.
What fucking diamond-cutter from him today in the 58th! Pique and
Ramos are rock solid stalwarts. They look awesome.
There remain causes for concern. Da Gea had his moments of hesitation
aside from that howler of a goal he let in. Poor wall management allowed
Ronaldo to equalize late-on. I suppose filling Iker’s shoes after so long can
yield some nerves. We’ve also all witnessed a very effective system, which can
be cracked with enough tactical planning. Without a manager to make
adjustments, on-field leadership might fracture amongst all the large egos.
I should also remind everyone that Costa got that first goal
dirty. Taking nothing away from his juking and jiving, but the play began with
a flagrant elbow.
Lineup—Portugal—PROJECTED
(4-3-1-2) (5/27/18)
C. Ronaldo Andre Silva
|
Bernardo
Silva
|
Joao Moutinho Joao Mario
|
William Carvalho
|
R. Guerreiro Jose
Fonte Pepe Cedric
|
Rui Patricio
|
Lineup—Portugal—ACTUAL
(4-2-3-1) (6/15/18)
Cristiano Ronaldo
|
G. Guedes
|
B. Fernandez B. Silva
|
J. Moutinho W. Carvalho
|
R. Guerreiro Jose
Fonte Pepe Cedric
|
Rui
Patricio
|
Yuck. For all the talk the Spanish managerial malaise, the
venerated Fernando Santos made all the wrong moves. Guedes was junk almost all
afternoon. Poor first touches and an inability to utilize his trademark speed
cost the team some quality chances. Fernandez and Bernardo Silva weren’t aggressive
on the ball at all. We also heard effectually nothing from the fullbacks.
We finally saw the RIGHT players (Andre Silva, Quaresma,
Joao Mario) later on in the match, but what was up with that horrid
substitution management? The team couldn’t even orchestrate a break in play
over the course of EIGHT minutes. Isco knew how to dictate the tempo of the
game. He’d get the ball out into touch when his teammates needed a break. The
Navigators just couldn’t function as a unit in the most basic sense. They
panicked. Most unbecoming behavior from a top-flight team.
One can plainly see what Santos was trying to do. He
actually anticipated the Spanish formation well. The plan was to choke out
those passing triangles using defensive-minded midfielders and have the fleet-footed
Guedes jump start the counter after interceptions. As noted above, Guedes
failed utterly in this task. He had no awareness of his teammates’ intentions,
perhaps because he hasn’t played with them for long.
Were it not for Da Gea’s Howler and two silly lapses in
concentration by Nacho Fernandez and Pique, Ronaldo might not have been given
an opportunity to score at all.
Further success in this tournament hinges on Santos coming
up with a better formula next time.
S.S.S.
Half-Assed Culture Minute
Those members who read the first official OSINT Post know of
the current football-related book I’m pimping: “Soccernomics” from Simon Kuper
and Stefan Szymanski. It’s a great read for stateside bettors still sour about
the USMNT’s absence. It expands brilliantly on their theses from the classic “Why
England Lose”. My favorite book about the game remains Raphael Honigstein’s “Das
Reboot”, but we’ll see how I like the new one I ordered: Graham Hunter’s “Spain:
The Inside Story of La Roja’s Historic Treble”. I was actually shocked to find
so few English language books about the Spanish National Sides dominant period
between 2008 and 2012. Christ, I nearly wrote enough material about them to
publish my own damned book. Where are the tactical reads about this
unprecedented era?
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted. If the thing starts with a
bunch of anecdotes about Fernando’s breakfast routines, I just might pitch it.
“Riffs
of the Day”—Day Two
Reader:
Vicey learning about Graphic Design?
Vicey:
Self-teaching…..as always. That’s why I’m so damned unsuccessful. I insist upon
learning everything from a shitty teacher. ; )
Reader:
You counted nine Russian Hotties in the stands. I only saw eight.
Vicey:
That’s because you didn’t count the one girthy Siberian one. It’s not her
fault. Genetics. Natural Selection. All that jazz. Blubber is a favorable
mutation in those areas.
She
was sitting next to a Saudi guy whom I’ve termed “Omar the Tent Maker”. I believe
he designed her dress.
Reader:
No more matches during Ramadan! Iran vs. Morocco SUX!
Vicey:
Yeah. Those guys looked tired throughout the whole thing. We also had what felt
like 321 injury timeouts. Guys need to take better care of themselves.
Reader:
Still waiting on Jorge Perez Navarro
Vicey:
Me too. We’re the hell was he? JP Delacamera is great and everything, but Tony
Meola over Jorge? He better be calling the Germany match!
DAY THREE--PREVIEW
France vs. Australia
vs. 
Rolled this line up and STILL money came in. My Froggies are
going to show you all. My favorite part of “La Marseillaise”:
“Le jour de gloire est arrive!”
Yawn. Arriving VERY early tomorrow morning I might add ; (
THE
LINE: France +3 Goals (BETTING CLOSED)
Argentina vs. Iceland
vs. 
Same occurrence as above. Too many sentimental wagers on the
charming Isle. This a’int the Euros, gentlemen. Happy to take your money
regardless.
THE
LINE: Argentina +2 Goals (BETTING CLOSED)
Peru vs. Denmark
vs. 
Equal traffic, so I’ll hold the line. This actually may be
the best match of the day. Squeeze in a cat nap and get ready.
THE
LINE: Portugal +2 Goals (holding)
Croatia vs. Nigeria
vs. 
Everyone wins if we escape without a confrontation in the
stands. Not feeling too optimistic about that. We’ll roll it down slightly to
see if anyone wants a piece of the action.
THE
LINE: Pick em’ (rolling down soft from Croatia +1)
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
