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 17: Recap
Record—
Spread: 20-32
Straight up: 29-17-6
Hot
Girl Standings
Country
|
Tally
|
Games Played
|
Russia
|
38
|
4
|
Sweden
|
35
|
3
|
Spain
|
34
|
4 (finished)
|
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
|
Croatia
|
30
|
4
|
Portugal
|
29
|
4 (finished)
|
Denmark
|
29
|
4 (finished)
|
South Korea
|
28
|
3 (finished)
|
France
|
26
|
4
|
Nigeria
|
24
|
3 (finished)
|
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)
|
Morocco
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
Peru
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
England
|
16
|
3
|
Panama
|
13
|
3 (finished)
|
Saudi Arabia
|
11
|
3 (finished)
|
Not the most exciting day of matches. Penalties make for
excellent drama, but one should note that they are usually preceding by 120
minutes of unnervingly devitalizing football.
A hermit population enters the global club in a certain
sense. Ruskies report that they feel more connected with the World now that
they’ve learned how to celebrate their team on their home soil. Can’t find any
fault with that. It reminds one of how the Germans felt hosting the 2006
tournament; the infamous “Deutschland: Ein Sommermärchen”.
Leave the politics aside for now. Joyful Russian
citizens openly celebrating with fans from other nations is a good thing. Perhaps it may lead to somewhere positive. Football can do that. It has the power to facilitate "Glasnost"; something Russians love and need to taste ; )
S.S.S.
Tactical Breakdown 
Does Russia really have the team to attain the Semis? Cinderella
has to go home at some point, but we expressed similar sentiments about the
Taeguks in 2002. Inheriting a weary opponent means little if your team is
depleted too.
We finally have a chance to catch up on the Croats and
assess their overall prospects. The Danes demonstrated how to grind them down.
Can the Blazers re-whet the blade?
Tears and fears on the way. Tears for Fears reminds us to
“break it down again”.
Lineup—Russia—Match
Two (4-2-3-1) (6/19/2018)
Artem Dzyuba
|
D. Cheryshev A. Golovin
A. Samedov
|
Yury Gazinsky Roman Zobnin
|
Yuri Zhirkov
Mario Fernandes
|
S. Ingnashevich I.
Kuetpov
|
Igor Akinfeev
|
Lineup—Russia—Match
Three (4-4-1-1) (6/25/2018)
Artem Dzyuba
|
Alexsei Miranchuk
|
Denis Cheryshev Alexsandr Samedov
|
Yuri
Gazinsky Roman Zobnin
|
F. Kudrayahov S. Ingnashevich I. Kuetpov I. Smolnikov
|
Igor
Akinfeev
|
Lineup—Russia—Match
Four (Projected) (4-2-3-1) (6/29/2018)
Artem Dzyuba
|
D. Cheryshev A. Golovin
A. Yerokhin
|
Yuri Gazinsky Roman Zobnin
|
Yuri Zhirkov Mario Fernandez
|
S.
Ignashevich S. Kudryashov
|
Igor Akinfeev
|
Lineup—Russia—Match
Four (Actual) (5-3-1-1) (7/1/2018)
Artem Dzyuba
|
Alexsandr
Golovin
|
Daler Kuzyayev Alexsandr Samedov
|
Y. Zhirkov Roman Zobnin M. Fernandes
|
F. Kudryashov S. Ingnashevich I. Kuetpov
|
Igor
Akinfeev
|
This didn’t work for long at all. Golovin dropped back in a
matter of minutes. Samedov abandoned the flanks to bail out Zobnin and Zhikov
quickly. Everyone railed to Ignashevich’s defense following that embarrassing own
goal in the 12th.
If they kept much of a shape after that, it didn’t register
in my eyes. Barely any challenges for the ball and total crap passing when they
got it. Cheryshev, Smolov, and Yerokhin were told to just do the hell whatever
when they came on.
“Let the Spaniards have fun with their ticki-taka and leisurely
stroll around the pitch wherever the Feng Shui takes you” is my best guess
insofar as Cherchesov’s instructions were concerned. I can’t believe he kept
Zobnin and Ignashevich out there for the full 120 minutes when they were
completely gassed.
This tank runs on fumes, gentlemen. I see no way forward
after this. It’s not merely a matter of physical exhaustion. After the
performances of Samedov, Kuzyayev, Zobnin, and Golovin today, I don't even
think they can put together a midfield worthy of High School match. It’s too
late to activate the Miranchuk twins. Should be the end.
The Russian fans get another chance to party. Don't wager on their team, but do consider joining them.
Lineup—Croatia—PROJECTED
(4-3-2-1) (6/1/2018)
Mario
Mandzukic
|
Ivan Perisic Ivan
Rakitic M. Brozovic
|
Mateo Kovacic Luka Modric
|
Ivan Strinic Sime Vrsaljko
|
Vedran Corluka Dejan
Lovren
|
Daniel Subasic
|
Lineup—Croatia—Match
One (4-2-3-1) (6/16/2018)
Mario
Mandzukic
|
Ivan Perisic A.
Kramaric Ante Rebic
|
Luka Modric Ivan Rakitic
|
Ivan Strinic Sime Vrsaljko
|
Vedran
Corluka Domagoj Vida
|
Daniel Subasic
|
Lineup—Croatia—Match
Two (4-2-3-1) (6/21/2018)
Mario
Mandzukic
|
Ivan Perisic Luka
Modric Ante Rebic
|
M. Brozovic Ivan Rakitic
|
Ivan Strinic Sime Vrsaljko
|
Dejan Lovren Domagoj Vida
|
Daniel Subasic
|
Lineup—Croatia—Match
Three (4-2-3-1) (6/26/2018)
Andrej
Kramaric
|
Ivan Perisic M. Kovacic Marko Pjaca
|
Milan Badelj Luka Modric
|
Josip Pivaric Tin Jedvaj
|
Verdan Corluka Duje Caleta-Car
|
Lovre Kalinic
|
Lineup—Croatia—Match
Four (Projected) (4-2-3-1) (6/29/2018)
Mario Mandzukic
|
Ivan Perisic Luka
Modric Ivan Rakitic
|
Milan
Badelj Marcelo Brozovic
|
Ivan Strinic Sime Vrsalijko
|
Verdran
Corluka Dejan Lovren
|
Daniel Subasic
|
Lineup—Croatia—Match
Four (Actual) (5-4-1) (7/1/2018)
Mario Mandzukic
|
Ivan
Perisic Ante Rebic
|
M. Brozovic L. Modric
I. Rakitic
|
Ivan Strinic Sime Vrsalijko
|
Dejan
Lovren Somagoj Vida
|
Daniel Subasic
|
Smart move by Dalic getting Strinic and Brozovic out early.
He waited a bit long to pull Perisic and Mandzukic, but at least he spared them
the mental enervation of the shoot-out. Modric looks dead. His two weak penalty
suggests as much. He couldn’t even lift the ball three feet above the ground.
Certainly not a promising sign from the captain.
A few things I fail to understand about this team include
the persistent use of Rebic on the right, the curious rotation of the
centerbacks, and the scant use of Kramaric. Rebic’s tournament goal was really
merely a Cabellero fuck up. Lovren and Corluka should be deployed together
unless I’m missing something. Either Kramaric or Kovacic would make for a
sturdy regular anchoring midfielder. Dalic can’t really get his placement
together and its wearing Modric thin.
Were they to face any other team than the Russians I
wouldn’t be very optimistic about their chances at the Semis. Strinic and Vida
in particular seem to be tanking. The whole left calls out for a refresher.
Luckily they get a few days off.
S.S.S.
Salute to Fallen Comrades
Spain—“La
Furia Roja”
-4
games played
-7
Goals scored
-34
Hot Girls
Really piss poor game from a group of talented players
today. Questionable selections from the fly-by-night manager as well. Pique
blew the whole thing with his impersonation of the “wacky waving inflatable arm
flailing tube man”. Genuinely sad stuff from some guys we may never see in a
tournament again.
Lineup—Spain—Match
Two (4-2-3-1) (6/20/2018)
Diego
Costa
|
Lucas Vasquez Isco David Silva
|
Andreas Iniesta Sergio Busquets
|
Jordi Alba D. Carvajal
|
Sergio Ramos Gerard Pique
|
David da
Gea
|
Lineup—Spain—Match
Three (4-2-3-1) (6/25/2018)
Diego
Costa
|
Andres Iniesta Isco David Silva
|
Thiago Sergio Busquets
|
Jordi Alba D. Carvajal
|
Sergio Ramos Gerard Pique
|
David da
Gea
|
Lineup—Spain—Match
Four (4-2-31) (7/1/2018)
Diego
Costa
|
Marco Asensio Isco David Silva
|
Sergio Busquets Koke
|
Jordi Alba N. Fernandez
|
Sergio Ramos Gerard Pique
|
David da
Gea
|
No idea why Iniesta didn’t get the start. Ostensibly Hierro
wanted to get Asensio involved in anticipation of a deeper run. Koke was the
wrong choice in the first match and didn’t really fit into the equation here.
Nacho Fernandez over Carvajal? Quixotic attempt to replicate the high-scoring
performance against the Portuguese I suppose.
We’ll never know what this team might have accomplished
under Lopetegui’s stewardship. Safe to assume a coach more familiar with the
players wouldn’t have tried a simple copy-and-paste job. Such a stupid move
from the Spanish FA. It cost them a fabulous chance at a second star.
With a whole slew of players set to retire, it’s time to
re-tool with a new generation. It’s officially adios to Iniesta and Pique.
David Silva, Sergio Ramos, Nacho Monreal, and Busquets may follow soon. Iago
Aspas might as well call it quits on this sour note. He probably didn’t even
belong in the squad to begin with.
Asensio is the only budding hope to build around…and he just
plain sucked today. We’ll welcome a bunch of fresh faces next time around. Til
then, Amigos.
Denmark—“De
Rød-Hvide”
-4
games played
-3
Goals scored
-29
Hot Girls
The potential for more heroics from Schmeichel aside, your
friendly bookie is relieved this boring team didn’t advance further. They just
weren’t that good. Hopefully Hareide gets the axe soon. I’m so done with his
useless antics.
Lineup—Denmark—Match
Three (4-5-1) (6/26/18)
Andreas Cornelius
|
M. Braithwaite M.
Jorgensen Pione Sisto
|
Christian Eriksen Thomas Delaney
|
Jens Stryger Larsen Henrik Dalsgaard
|
Simon Kjaer Andreas Christensen
|
Kasper
Schmeichel
|
Lineup—Denmark—Match
Four (4-3-3) (7/1/18)
M. Braithwaite Andreas
Cornelius Y. Poulsen
|
Christian Eriksen Andreas Christensen
|
Thomas Delaney
|
Henrik Dalsgaard Jonas Knudsen
|
S. Kjaer M. Jorgensen
|
Kasper
Schmeichel
|
Who the fuck is Jonas Knudsen? Was he the father who chased
Bunny Lebowski away from her family farm? Christensen as a midfielder? Wasn’t
it enough to give Mathias Jorgesen a trial up there? The whole thing gave me a
splitting headache. Once Lasse Schöne came in I gave up trying to divine a
strategy.
The solution was staring him in the face the whole time!
Dolberg! Where the hell was Dolberg? Nothing about this Danish tournament made
any sense whatsoever. You’d think a bunch of dolts from the land of Legos would
know how to put some pieces together. Too much ink wasted on these pesky
peninsulars. Re-arranging their mess nearly gave me carpal tunnel.
Bunch of plødding, børing nincømpøøps. Gø to hell.
“Riffs
of the Day”—Day Seventeen
Reader:
Thought you said Armani would play poorly.
Vicey:
Sorry, 5-M. I thought he’d let in at least six more soft goals. Can’t get it 75
percent wrong 100 percent of the time.
Reader:
Amateur analysis is even worse when Vicey makes us wait for it.
Vicey:
(fumbling for a comeback)
Well
played, 56-M. Czech and mate. Got me there.
Reader:
Another series of Spanish passes leading nowhere!
Vicey:
The Right Back passes to the Left back. Back to the Right Back! Out to the
Wing. Hold. Hold. Hold!
Reader:
Pique goes for the “Old Limber Legs” move.
Vicey:
(giggling)
And….Zing,
15-M!
DAY EIGHTEEN—PREVIEW
Brazil vs. Mexico
vs. 
Everyone’s hoping on the Mexican bandwagon. You may foresee
a sullen Neymar stroking his spaghetti-do and sobbing, but I foresee Chicharito
crying for different reasons.
THE
LINE: Brazil +1 Goal (debuting)
Belgium vs. Japan
vs. 
The favorites roll on. The Samurai fall on their own sword.
We all get the Quarterfinal match we really want. This one goes according to
plan.
THE
LINE: Belgium +2 Goals (debuting)
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
