Servus Syndicate Members,
When we last met to discuss a World Cup Third Place Playoff
in 2014, it truly was a meaningless match. Of course it was. The poor forlorn
Dutch were involved. Those of the Orange persuasion typically label the
consolation game a “throwaway” fixture and they have good reason to.
The
Netherlands are 0-3 in World Cup Finals, losing in 1974,1978, and 2010. They’ve
also dropped two heartbreaking Semi-Finals berths in 2010 and 2014. No hates
this game more than them. They spoil it deliberately.
Well the Dutch aren’t here this time. Fuck the Dutch. We’ve
got a great football match on tap tomorrow, a free-flowing high-scoring affair
with meaningful connotations for both participants. Actual World Cup Finals are
generally low-scoring affairs. Very significant, but often less than
entertaining. The Saturday fixture, by contrast is much loser and fun.
Two hungry programs with high-octane offenses square off tomorrow.
They should put on quite a show. Your friendly bookie sets a five goal
over/under prop. That’s how confident he is ; )
This will constitute the last chance for many of you to watch
a full-throttle game of international football for quite some time. It’s also
the last call for wagers. Don’t add another line to your spreadsheet. As is our
tradition, we don’t bet on the Final. It’s a time for phoning, catching up,
planning our visits, and discussing our Schwag Packs. We always leave gambling
out for the last game. Better to concentrate solely on the momentous occasion
before us.
I repeat. ALL BETS ARE OFF FOR THE FINAL.
Should you like, betting tallies can be rolled over until it’s
time for the Syndicate to convene again. When shall that be, you ask? Your
friendly bookie cannot make a firm commitment exactly, but we regularly use
this space to engage in something of a group discussion. Only two posts remain after
this one. The sincere and thoughtful “Goodbyes and Championship Pick” is due tomorrow.
What I can tell you is that the penultimate “Day 24 Recap”
post is due tomorrow. One of those gushy “Goodbyes and Championship Pick”
love-letters will follow. Note that the “Day 25 Recap” won’t be posted wait
until it’s once again time for the Syndicate to convene. ; ) ; )
Possible Future Syndicate Chapters
1) U.S. 2018 Midterm Elections
In all likelihood not.
We actually did this once back in 2012, but I sincerely doubt
we’ll ever do it again. Your friendly bookie remains a Geo-politics junkie, but
doesn’t wish to add to the inane self-serving semi-coherence emanating from all
sides these days. That’s how we lost the Election in the first place. No sense
in piling on.
I still stand by the essay I wrote in the CAN 2017 Third
Place Match Section eighteen months ago. I encourage everyone to keep current
and continue attempting to make a positive impact on their communities.
Exercising one’s duty as a citizen and voting remains crucial as well. What
will not work and has never worked will be shrieking, yelling, harassing, and sanctimoniously
posting comments on online message boards. It worked for one side, but have
faith that the pendulum will swing the other way if you remain literate,
active, and calm.
The time for frivolous fun is over. The time for
professional policymaking may be over too. It’d be great if we could get governance back in the hands
of competent and caring professionals who actually understand the nuance of
writing legislation that serves others, but most Americans probably don’t have
the attention span to read through the first part of that sentence let alone
comprehend it anymore. That’s partially because they’re overworked and
overloaded. Playing moralistic voyeur or the “Political Correctness Social
Media Guardian” troll with a tired populace will not work. It’s not really work
in the first place and it will backfire…again.
No written syndicate, but I’ll take personal bets.
2) 2019 AFC Asian Cup
In all likelihood yes.
We’ll take bets on this
tournament in a written Syndicate for the second consecutive cycle.
The Asian Continental Championship has expanded to 24 teams
and will take place in the UAE beginning on January 6th. Television
viewing for North American cable viewers will be a bit problematic, but live
streaming can be procured.
As you can see from some of English on the websites, the
tournament isn’t exactly a well-promoted global force:
A work-in-progress, but still worth watching. Lines and odds
will be delivered in a smaller, seven-part chapter.
2) 2019 African Cup of Nations
Of course.
We’ll take bets on this tournament in a written Syndicate
for the fourth consecutive cycle.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has also expanded to 24
countries, but will take place in Summer this year. Cameroon gets set to defend
their title on home soil on June 7th.
Note that it will run concurrent to next year’s Women’s World Cup, so we may merge it with the main event, just as we did with the 2016 Euros and Copa America Centenario.
Note that it will run concurrent to next year’s Women’s World Cup, so we may merge it with the main event, just as we did with the 2016 Euros and Copa America Centenario.
4) 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup
No matter what, gentlemen.
We’ll take bets on this tournament in a written Syndicate
for the third consecutive cycle.
Get psyched, America. You’re coming back! So sorry you had to sit this round out, but your return to glory is right around the corner. The Fatherland gets a chance at redemption too ; )
….329 Days remaining.
Third
Place Match
Belgium
vs. England
vs. 
Unlike their meeting in the Group Stage, we’ll fully expect
to see many of the First Team here. Vardy and Batshuayi might get nods up
front, but Lukaku and Kane should be deployed in order to give them ample
chance at securing the Golden Boot. Both coaches will employ changes at the
back and are expected to gift the number one shirt to backup keepers. This
should translate to plenty of opportunities for the star forwards to score.
Goals galore. Tricks and flicks from all. Bookie tips Belgium
for the classy final bow ; )
THE
LINE: Belgium +1 Goal
Over/Under—5 Goals
120 Minutes—2 to 1
Penalty Shootout—3 to 1
GENTLEMEN, ENTER YOUR WAGERS
