ChaoticMusings

Maddog · Still Here!

RE: World Cup

Maddog · Still Here!

My favorite liberal discussing the WC in America. For the record, I don't share his opinion of the game itself, but he's a typical American boomer and most don't understand the game.

For the record, is he correct that they don't sell beer at games in Europe?

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I'm sure the men can answer from experience....I cant, but AI says....

Yes, football grounds can be licensed to sell beer, but strict laws dictate where and when it can be consumed.
England and Wales: Alcohol can be purchased in the concourses and bars before the game and during half-time. However, under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, fans are not permitted to consume alcohol within view of the pitch.
Drinks cannot be taken into the stadium seating bowl or terraces.Hospitality:
VIP and hospitality suites are fully licensed, and guests are legally allowed to drink while watching the match.

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

England v Panama.
Well they won, but I don't fancy their chances when they play a really decent side.

Magica · Still Here!

Syl wrote:
England v Panama.
Well they won, but I don't fancy their chances when they play a really decent side.

2-0 made hard work of it tbh.

Vam · Go Outside.

Magica wrote:
Syl wrote:
England v Panama.
Well they won, but I don't fancy their chances when they play a really decent side.
2-0 made hard work of it tbh.

From what I saw, Rashford and of course Bellingham worked it very hard. The rest of the team…maybe not so much, especially in the first half of the match 🤷🏻‍♀️

This Portugal/Columbia match seems like it could turn into something worth watching.

(It’ll be great to get back into a normal sleeping pattern when this tournament’s over! 😂)

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Vam wrote:
Magica wrote:
Syl wrote:
England v Panama.
Well they won, but I don't fancy their chances when they play a really decent side.
2-0 made hard work of it tbh.
From what I saw, Rashford and of course Bellingham worked it very hard. The rest of the team…maybe not so much, especially in the first half of the match 🤷🏻‍♀️
This Portugal/Columbia match seems like it could turn into something worth watching.

(It’ll be great to get back into a normal sleeping pattern when this tournament’s over! 😂)

I am a night owl, so it doesn’t bother me, but I pity anyone who has to get up early.

The young O'Reilly from Man City played well too, and Harry Kane is now the nations top world cup goal scorer, so it was a good match for him too.

Vam · Go Outside.

Syl wrote:

I am a night owl, so it doesn’t bother me, but I pity anyone who has to get up early.
The young O'Reilly from Man City played well too, and Harry Kane is now the nations top world cup goal scorer, so it was a good match for him too.

Keep in mind I’m an hour ahead of most of you guys though

And fair points about O’Reilly and Kane. It’s just that the first half of the match seemed so lacklustre, I remember thinking ‘Oh crap, here we go again…’ 🤦🏻‍♀️

Glad I was wrong!

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:

I am a night owl, so it doesn’t bother me, but I pity anyone who has to get up early.
The young O'Reilly from Man City played well too, and Harry Kane is now the nations top world cup goal scorer, so it was a good match for him too.

Keep in mind I’m an hour ahead of most of you guys though
And fair points about O’Reilly and Kane. It’s just that the first half of the match seemed so lacklustre, I remember thinking ‘Oh crap, here we go again…’ 🤦🏻‍♀️
Glad I was wrong!

I forgot about the time difference. The last few times we have been on the continent, it's been either early or late, and there is no difference then. Why the heck we have to keep juggling around with that hour twice a year is a mystery....it's one of those old-fashioned rules we have kept to.

I agree about the first half of the game Vam....even OH said the same thing, and he is far more loyal to the team than fickle old me.

I do think when/if we meet a team like France, we will be dead in the water.

Magica · Still Here!

Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:

I am a night owl, so it doesn’t bother me, but I pity anyone who has to get up early.
The young O'Reilly from Man City played well too, and Harry Kane is now the nations top world cup goal scorer, so it was a good match for him too.

Keep in mind I’m an hour ahead of most of you guys though
And fair points about O’Reilly and Kane. It’s just that the first half of the match seemed so lacklustre, I remember thinking ‘Oh crap, here we go again…’ 🤦🏻‍♀️
Glad I was wrong!
I forgot about the time difference. The last few times we have been on the continent, it's been either early or late, and there is no difference then. Why the heck we have to keep juggling around with that hour twice a year is a mystery....it's one of those old-fashioned rules we have kept to.
I agree about the first half of the game Vam....even OH said the same thing, and he is far more loyal to the team than fickle old me.
I do think when/if we meet a team like France, we will be dead in the water.

Not France as.much, Portugal aswell. I can't see us winning the World Cup, but i.live in hopes.

Vam · Go Outside.

Really glad I stayed up until silly o’clock to watch the Portugal/Columbia game. I don’t recall enjoying a goalless match so much!

But I’m gonna be a totally footie-free zone all day None of today’s fixtures are reeling me in.

I’m so sleep deprived, I might even squeeze in a little siesta … 😴

-- Edited by Vam on Sunday 28th of June 2026 02:28:21 PM

Red Okktober · Musing at the Chaos

England have been quite underwhelming so far and need to give DR Congo a bit of a thrashing on Weds to lift the team and the fans, otherwise it's all been a bit meh. They are on the good side of the draw though and can only play one of Spain, France, and Germany, and that would be in the final itself if they get that far.

You can't really predict the opponents to the final, but if the favourites win each game, it will be all South American after Congo - Mexico (played at high altitude, a big problem), Brazil (if they deal with Japan, not a given), and Argentina.

Not much is being said about the Ebola situation with Congo. I know there have been quarantines in place, but you couldn't be 100% sure could you? I wouldn't fancy mingling with thousands of Congo fans in the stadium, especially if one of them started coughing and spluttering near me. It could bring a whole new meaning to 'It's coming home'

Barksdale · Musing at the Chaos

Maddog wrote:
For the record, is he correct that they don't sell beer at games in Europe?

Yes for football matches (not other sports like cricket or rugby.) You cannot take your drink to your seat unless you are in hospitality setting where you do not have direct sight of the pitch. You have to drink it on the concourse or in the bar at the ground.

This was introduced in the 80s to try to prevent hooliganism. The law should be scrapped really as the era of English football hooligans is pretty much long gone and you more likely to see a family at a game than hooligans. Other countries have much worse problems in that regard but the reputation continues to stick to England.

English football fans are generally sound, welcoming and less racist than most other countries, particularly the Argentinians who have a real issue with other races.

Barksdale · Musing at the Chaos

The Panama match went pretty much the way I thought it was going to go. Panama parked the bus like Ghana and we had a hard time breaking it down and using the full width of the pitch properly.

Our defence is really suspect but Tuchel seems much less concerned in conceding a goal than Southgate, with his strategy seeming to be outscoring the other side rather than trying to hang on to a 1-0 scoreline for dear life. We are less likely to face an opponent playing a low block in the knockout rounds (although Congo may try it) as it is generally a poor tactic in comparison to using it in a group stage.

We still have work to so but 6 goals across 3 games, back to back clean sheets and topping the group is a good start. It doesn't need to be pretty as long as you win (ask any Arsenal fan this season )

Maddog · Still Here!

Barksdale wrote:
Maddog wrote:
For the record, is he correct that they don't sell beer at games in Europe?
Yes for football matches (not other sports like cricket or rugby.) You cannot take your drink to your seat unless you are in hospitality setting where you do not have direct sight of the pitch. You have to drink it on the concourse or in the bar at the ground.
This was introduced in the 80s to try to prevent hooliganism. The law should be scrapped really as the era of English football hooligans is pretty much long gone and you more likely to see a family at a game than hooligans. Other countries have much worse problems in that regard but the reputation continues to stick to England.
English football fans are generally sound, welcoming and less racist than most other countries, particularly the Argentinians who have a real issue with other races.

I'm familiar with the historical violence around the sport, but like you say it appears to be historical.

To me it appears the fans that have traveled here, have behaved very well towards us and fans of other countries..

Last weekend I was in a bar with a handful of English and Argentinians. While they weren't talking or hanging out, I sensed no hostility. I told one Argentinian that he should tell the English fans that they brought "the hand of God" just in case they meet in the finals..😉

Also, I think the fans that travel to WC hall way around the world, are probably better educated, with more disposable income. These aren't the knuckle heads that every sport seems to have..

Barksdale · Musing at the Chaos

The knockout round kicked off yesterday with one of the most honking matches I have ever seen - South Africa v Canada. It was so bad the highlights must of consisted entirely of that woman dropping her phone during the Mexican wave.

Looking forward to Japan v Brazil tonight and I keep seeing people say that it will be a "big" upset if Japan win. It will be an upset but it won't be big. Japan are decent. They beat Brazil last year in a friendly as well as beating us this year. They did really well in qualification and I don't think they conceded a goal. Should be a great game.

Also, this World Cup scheduling has been rubbish. Only one game for the whole of Sunday but 3 on a Monday when people are at work to include potentially one of the best games so far tonight at 2am (Holland v Morocco.)

I get that scheduling has to be fair for everyone but come on.

Maddog · Still Here!

So my daughter just texted me. Her and my grand daughter are going to Norway vs Ivory Coast tomorrow. I told her to teach my granddaughter how to row like a viking.😉

My daughter played for the same club as Clint Dempsey and knows the game inside and out.

My 5 year old grand daughter is a bit less knowledgeable, but was by a long margin the leading scorer for the Sparkling Unicorns last season..😎

Magica · Still Here!

Maddog wrote:
So my daughter just texted me. Her and my grand daughter are going to Norway vs Ivory Coast tomorrow. I told her to teach my granddaughter how to row like a viking.😉

My daughter played for the same club as Clint Dempsey and knows the game inside and out.

My 5 year old grand daughter is a bit less knowledgeable, but was by a long margin the leading scorer for the Sparkling Unicorns last season..😎

oh fantastic. Hope they enjoy the rowing lol

Barksdale · Musing at the Chaos

Maddog wrote:
So my daughter just texted me. Her and my grand daughter are going to Norway vs Ivory Coast tomorrow. I told her to teach my granddaughter how to row like a viking.😉

My daughter played for the same club as Clint Dempsey and knows the game inside and out.

My 5 year old grand daughter is a bit less knowledgeable, but was by a long margin the leading scorer for the Sparkling Unicorns last season..😎

OMG - that is amazing. I hope they have a great time and it should be a cracking match.

Let's hope your granddaughter doesn't decide that the Norwegian princess, Erling Haaland is the best player in the world as she may end up supporting Man City. I guess it could be worse. If she takes a shine to Martin Odegaard she will end up supporting Arsenal

-- Edited by Barksdale on Monday 29th of June 2026 08:28:52 PM

Barksdale · Musing at the Chaos

That Brazil v Japan game was fantastic. I knew it would be closer than most people thought and part of me is glad it got killed off in normal time rather than extra time & penalties. Heartbreaking for Japan but football is a cruel game sometimes.

Wish I was more of a night owl to stay up for the Holland game but that is definitely a bridge too far.