Lakenheath Old Boys

We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Russia 2018 is Here!

Morning, LOBers. Russia 2018 is here and I couldn't be more excited. I'm up putting the final touches on the Russia 2018 Predictions Game and settling in to watch the preliminaries. The Fox preview show begins in an hour at 10am EST, followed by Russia v. Saudi Arabia. Join me for all of the festivities this morning, won't you?

179 Comments:

Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Wahay! The coverage is starting up on Fox! The World Cup is here!

10:01 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's Rob Stone in Red Square to begin the proceedings. At least they've allowed him to travel to Russia.

10:03 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Here's an interesting quiz about World Cup openers. I got 5/10 correct. How many can you lot get?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/14/world-cup-quiz-opening-games

10:08 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now it's Rob Stone in the Moscow studio with Alexi Lalas, Guus Hiddink and some Mexican bloke.

10:10 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Wow - now it's the commentary team in the stadium. JP Dellacamera alongside US keeper Tony Meola.

10:12 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good morning, Bob. Great to join you for the World Cup. How are you?

10:15 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Morning, MUR - I'm loving the build up to the matches. Looking forward to a great tournament.

10:16 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I got the same score on the quiz as you did.

10:18 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Likewise. This beats teaching Summer School and a great way to beat the heat, albeit with a faulty AC system.

10:18 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Have you got some people working on your AC unit?

10:22 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Forgot about that great Saudi goal against Belgium at what I think was RFK. I don't think they've won a match since then

10:22 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Not exactly. We have a part that's under warranty, but our AC people are having trouble with the supplier. It's working, but not at full power. We
re forced to keep the temperature at 80. A bit stuffy in the house, but still cool compared to outside.

10:24 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Far too many commercials. That seems to be about 80% of the pre-game show.

10:25 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

So do you just go about in a tank short and your boxers?

10:25 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Gooner, Dad and I were at RFK for that Saudi v. Belgium match.

10:25 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Take away the tank and you got it. Still cool compared to outside.

10:27 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

My brother watched Belgium vs Morocco and Holland vs Ireland at that World Cup in Orlando.

10:28 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Suadis had three players move to La Liga clubs in the January transfer window. Two played a single match and one not a single first team appearance. Probably superior training, but lacking match fitness.

10:29 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - goodie! The opening ceremonies are starting!

10:31 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It will be a short opening ceremony unless this is the norm

10:32 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Marvelous scenes outside Luhzniki Stadium now.

10:32 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Britpop star Robbie Williams about to perform.

10:32 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fat Ronny walking on to the pitch with the mascot.

10:33 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Thanks for the clarification. Not familiar with him.

10:33 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Beginning tomorrow it will be an earlier start to the day.

10:34 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Just a reminder that the VAR will be in operation throughout the tournament, helping referees on the following issues:

* Goals and offenses leading up to a goal
* Penalty decisions
* Direct red card incidents
* Cases of mistaken identity

Should be fascinating

10:37 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robbie used to be in a boy band called Take That, who were huge in Britain in the 90s. He's had some solo hits since then. Never big in the US.

10:38 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Fat Ronny has clearly been indulging in the feijoada over the years.

10:39 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Fat Ronny is loving it!

10:41 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I think that Robbie should show up Diana Ross by taking a penalty now, just to rub in the worst penalty miss in the history of the World Cup during the 1994 opening ceremonies.

10:42 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Did Robbie just give us all the finger?

10:43 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I thought Robby looked a little older while Ronny has definitely not missed meals or snacks for that matter.

10:45 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Right, that's done then. Now, let's hope that the Saudis can knock the Putin regime down a peg or two with a shock win against the hosts this afternoon.

10:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I didn't see that. Will have to check that. Sure was a brief opening ceremony. Even the Harlingen fireworks show is longer than that.

10:45 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Here are the teams lining up in the tunnel now:

Russia: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Samedov, Golovin, Dzagoev, Smolov.

Saudi Arabia: Al-Maiouf, Al-Breik, Omar Hawsawi, Osama Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani, Al-Faraj, Otayf, Al-Jassim, Al-Shehri, Al-Dawsari, Al-Sahlawi.

10:48 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Many of the LOBers have picked Fyodor Smolov to be the first scorer. I've gone against the grain with Saudi Arabian striker Mohammed Al-Sahlawi.

10:49 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's Vladimir Putin's moment now. Boo!

10:51 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Russians defeated the Kiwis in the opening match of the Confeds Cup and were still eliminated. A win against the Saudis doesn't really tell us anything . The matches vs Egypt and Uruguay will be more informative.

10:51 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The translator is harder to understand than Vlad.

10:52 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed, Bob. Not glad to hear Vladi.

10:52 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

it sounds as if they've got a GPS voice to do the translation.

10:53 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Thanks for the reminder of the VAR. UWS will not be pleased.

10:53 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's the best they can do. Nothing left in the budget for an actual translator such as Arshavin or Kanchelskis?

10:54 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

another Pantomime villain in the form of Gianni Infantino.

10:55 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Bob will take note that FIFA believes in bald power. They're not all bad, mate.

10:55 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Anthems now.

10:56 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Balds rule!

10:56 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Thought you would say that.

10:58 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The two poorest teams to play the opening match of a World Cup?

10:58 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Argie ref doing the pleasantries now.

11:00 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

One of the better refs in this tournament to ref the opening match

11:00 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Asssited by a rival Brazi linesman.

11:01 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The World Cup is underway from Moscow.

11:02 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

From the kick-off, Saudis straight into the attack.

11:02 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Pizzi, the Saudi manager, failed to get to Chile to qualify, yet he's supposed to work wonders with this team. Don't see that happening.

11:03 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Russians win the first corner of the tournament.

11:04 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

First corner goes to the Russians. Jerk off to take.

11:04 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The corner from Jerk off is headed away at the near post.

11:05 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A bit of a misunderstanding at the back for the Saudis.

11:07 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's all a bit ping pongy right now. Not exactly boring but very little quality on display.

11:07 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Saudis get away with a risky back pass then on the attack which is easily cleared.A tentative start by both teams.

11:07 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strange as this may seem, this is what I was expecting from this match./

11:08 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

First decent move from Russia through Jack Off.

11:08 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Uruguay vs Egypt and the Iberian Derby should be much better quality than this dross.

11:10 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'm worried that the Iberian Derby might be a bore-fest. The team that loses that one could really be in trouble. They might play it really safe.

11:11 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jerk off wins a corner after poor Saudi defending in their own box.

11:11 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Saudis counter after heading away that corner , but lose the ball by the Russian corner flag.

11:11 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

With his first corners, Jerkoff has hit the first man and then overcooked the delivery. Not an auspicious start.

11:13 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Russians win another corner off of sloppy Saudi defending.

11:13 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Russia takes the lead - Gazinsky with the header.

11:14 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! THE RUSSIANS SCORE OFF THE CORNER. THE CORNER WAS HEADED OUT THEN THE BALL PLAYED BACK TO JERK OFF AND KASYZINSKI SCORES WITH A HEADER OFF THE CROSS FROM JERK OFF.

11:15 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Nice cross in the from Golovin and Gazinsky with a free header.

1-0 Reds.

11:15 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Infantino trying to keep the piece between Putin and the Saudi prince.

11:16 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - nearly a second goal there from a looping, deflected effort scrambled away.

11:16 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

OH!!! Spectacular save by the Saudi keeper after some nice one touch passing then a world class save from a close range deflected effort.

11:17 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

No points for any of us for the opening goal, alas.

11:17 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Infantino may be busier than the giant Argie ref.

11:18 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Wasn't expecting that. Thanks for the update.

11:19 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Saudis may be the whipping boys of the tournament.

11:19 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Saudis were hit by eight is enough against the Germans in their opening match of the 2002 World Cup. Will that be matched today?

11:21 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Al-Sahlawki nearly in there for the equalizer.

11:22 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Two quick corners in succession for the Saudis. Better from them.

11:23 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Al Shlawi , who was identified by Bob as the main threat to score, heads just wide off a cross from a Saudi attack. It's awarded as a corner . Then the same player has a shot deflect for another corner.

11:23 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Russians counter off the next corner and one of their players is down as he pulled a muscle . First substitution of the tournament.

11:24 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Jack off has a problem and won't be able to recover. He's limping off now.

11:25 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jack off the injured one and that's it for him as he's replaced by Cherries off .

11:25 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Only one participant has predicted a red card in this match. WHR picked the Saudi keeper.

11:28 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Salem smokes a long range effort for the Saudis in Row H.

11:29 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Don't see that .It's been too clean a match for anyone to get a red card.

11:30 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Decent free kick chance now for the Saudis.

11:31 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A long free kick from the Saudi keeper and Jerk off with a foul just outside the Saudi box.

11:31 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Decent chance there but the Saudi bloke nodded it well over.

11:32 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The free kick from AlShalawi is headed well over by Kassar.

11:32 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Russians look like the same team from last Summer that was so poor.

11:33 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't see either of these sides troubling Uruguay. Egypt are the X Factor in this group. Apparently, Mo Salah is fit to start tomorrow. That will be interesting.

11:35 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Russia will have a tough time in the next two matches as their opponents will be far better organized.

11:35 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I picked Egypt to finish second in this group and have seen little to change my mind.

11:37 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Smolov goes over in the box. Referee waves play on. No VAR action so far.

11:37 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

If Salah is fit and 100%, I'd agree. Without Salah, I don't see Egypt posing a threat.

11:37 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cherries Off goes down in the box looking for a pen on a Russian counter and nothing done. Looks to be the right call.

11:37 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The only Russian goal was the result of really charitable defending.

11:38 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

True. I agree.

11:39 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cherries Off has been lively since coming on, but his final effort seems lacking.

11:43 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! CHERRIES OFF PUTS RUSSIA TWO UP.

11:44 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Russkies go 2-0 up through the sub Cherry Sundae.

11:44 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Saudi defenders chasing shadows there. Really poor from them.

11:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another goal that was the result of keystone kop defending.Two chances to clear the ball and they stood around giving Cherries off the chance to pick his spot.

11:46 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A pair of stoppage time minutes.

11:47 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

BOOM BOOM. The Saudis are defending like a Sundae and playing like it's a Sunday afternoon stroll.

11:48 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Half-time, then. Russia have done the business so far against a really poor Saudi side.

2-0 at the interval.

11:48 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Russia two up at the half in a match between two really poor sides.

11:49 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Russia's last appearance at a World Cup was in 2002 while their last two wins have been against Cameroon in 1990 and 1994 after already being eliminated.

12:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'm back for the second half with my lunch.

12:09 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another Russian counter and Osama tackles Smolov for a Russian corner.

12:10 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The corner from Jeark Off is easily headed away.

12:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Welcome back, mate. What's on the menu. Caviar by any chance?

12:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Semedov not too far over with a long range effort after more sheikhy Saudi defending.

12:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

LOL! Not a chance. A bit of ramen.

12:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Saudis heaviest defeats in a WC are 8-0 vs Germany in 2002 and 4-0 vs France in 1998.

12:15 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Still a good choice.Enjoy. Is that Ramenov?

12:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Al-Sahlawi nearly in there. Shame.

12:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nice Saudi possession and pass into the box is diverted wide by Taseer.

12:16 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Saudis starting to come back into this one as Russia takes the foot off the gas a bit.

12:18 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Saudis with a free kick headed wide by Salman. That seemed rather fishy.

12:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cometh the hour mark, cometh the subs. Saudis about to make some changes.

12:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fahad on for Abdallah Otayif

12:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Saudis are going to roll the dice and go with two strikers now. It's about time!

12:24 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Kuzaev on for Samedov, leaving the Russians with one change remaining.

12:25 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fahad the first Saudi to play in Spain. Played twice as a sub for Levante.

12:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Russia will be reassured that Akinfeev hasn't had a save to make yet. He could have had a bowl of borscht during the first half.

12:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - nearly a third goal for Russia as Al-Maouff spills one in the box.

12:28 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Saudi keeper spills a routine shot then Osama clears it away.

12:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Artem Dzouba about to make his entrance.

12:28 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed. He could have savored some caviar as well.

12:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The final roll of the dice as Dzyuba is on for Smolov. No time wasting subs today.

12:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Dzyuba plays for Arsenal Tula, which would make them the fake Arsenal.

12:31 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Supersub Dzouba nods home Russia's third goal!

12:31 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!!! DZYUBA SCORES MINUTES AFTER COMING ON WITH A FREE HEADER OFF A CROSS FROM GOLOVIN. RUSSIA THREE UP.

12:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Another great cross in from Golovin, who has been my MOTM today. He's got some class.

12:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It all started with a throw from Fernandes and three passes later an easy header from a nice cross.

12:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Salaam tries one from distance. Decent effort but well wide of Akinfeev.

12:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another Saudi change . Just one remaining.,

12:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Credit to the Russian manager as two goals have come off the bench.,

12:34 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Saudis will be booking an early flight back to Riyadh after this outing.

12:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A Russian free kick is headed well wide.

12:37 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The vodka will be flowing in Moscow tonight, for sure!

12:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

LOL! it's a good time to begin.

12:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

They better enjoy while it lasts because reality will kick in their next two matches.

12:39 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

True - but from here, a loss and a win against Egypt would see them through. Even two draws.

12:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strange as this may sound, the Saudis have lost twice by greater margins than they are currently trailing by in this match.

12:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's true, but those results may likely not happen. This is their easiest match.

12:42 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Definitely.

12:43 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A long range Russian effort lands in Row M.

12:44 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The final roll of the dice by Pizzi as Mo Assiri is on for Al Shalawi.

12:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jerk Off cynically tripped by the left touchline.

12:46 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Jerk off to swing another free kick in. It skips across the area and out for a corner.

12:46 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The free kick from Jerk Off is cleared for a Russian corner.

12:46 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The early match tomorrow may be the best of the lot.

12:47 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Golovin becomes the first player of the tournament to be booked.

12:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

This is the margin of victory I was expecting. How about you?

12:49 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I thought it might be closer.

12:49 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Russians win a late corner as a result of some tired defending.

12:49 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A trio of stoppage time minutes.

12:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Only one yellow card today - a well disciplined match so far.

12:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! What a strike from Cherries Jubilee!

12:51 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! THE RUSSIANS GO FOUR UP.

12:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That is the cherry on top of this victory for Russia.

12:52 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A really simple route one goal. A long ball from the back was headed down and and a nice finish with the outside of the foot by Cherries Jubilee. That's the cherry on the cake.

12:53 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That will just about be that, then. A glorious day for Russia; misery for the Saudis.

12:53 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Three out of four goals off the bench. How's that?

12:53 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Golovin fouled just outside the box as he was Taseered down and the Saudi player booked.

12:54 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Perhaps time for a fifth here from the free kick.

12:54 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Golovin with a peach of a goal!

12:54 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! GOLOVIN BENT IT LIKE BECKHAM AS HE CAUGHT THE KEEPER OUT AT THE NEAR POST PUTTING THE RUSSIANS FIVE UP.

12:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Saudi prince is really not enjoying the afternoon now.

12:55 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's it as the Russians thrash the Saudis 5-0.

12:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well, that was entertaining. I didn't expect that at all. Hopefully it's an omen for more goalfests to come.

I'm off to enjoy the afternoon in the garden with Kate. Cheerio!

12:56 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Hard to blame him. Two goals in second half stoppage time and three off the bench.

12:56 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cheers, mate. Great chatting. loo forward to chatting tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the day,.

12:56 PM  

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