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!

Saturday, July 07, 2018

The Quarterfinals Wrap Up

A very good afternoon from The Cottage where we are celebrating another famous England win. Now we can relax and enjoy the last quarterfinal match between Croatia and Russia. Whoever comes out of this one will be England's opponents in the semifinals. I fancy Croatia but Russia have the home crowd advantage, which has seen them go longer into the tournament than any could have predicted. Join me for all the action!

244 Comments:

Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good afternoon, Bob. What a fantastic day and what a birthday present for UWS. This match determines England's semifinal opponent.

1:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Russia are bidding to reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history. Their only previous visit to the last four came in 1966 when, competing as the Soviet Union, they saw off one of the great Hungary sides in the quarters.

Their opponents today, Croatia, are also looking to make the last four for only the second time. The first came early in the independent country's history, at France 1998, when they saw off Germany 3-0 in the quarters.

1:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great to join you this afternoon, MUR. I'm feeling really relaxed.

1:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Hoping for an emphatic Croatia win

1:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Thanks, Bob. Great to enjoy the pleasure of your company. Feeling relaxed too.

1:49 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another 3-0 Croatia win will be great.

1:50 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

You guys all said that you want Croatia.... I am going for Russia

Russia's players play for CSKA, Zenit, Spartak and Villarreal

Croatia's players play for Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid



I think it is clear which is the better team to play

Fans schmans

1:50 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The teams lining up in the tunnel in Sochi this afternoon:

Russia: Akinfeev, Kudryashov, Ignashevich, Kutepov, Fernandes, Kuzyaev, Zobnin, Cheryshev, Golovin, Samedov, Dzyuba. Subs: Lunev, Semenov, Gazinsky, Dzagoev, Smolov, Granat, Aleksey Miranchuk, Anton Miranchuk, Zhirkov, Erokhin, Smolnikov, Gabulov.

Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Modric, Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic, Mandzukic. Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Brozovic, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Lovre Kalinic.

Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil).

1:51 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I want Russia!!!

1:53 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

According to my calculations, England will wear white for the semi final
Russia wear red or white...they will want their home red
Croatia will have to wear their dark shirts because their home shirts have white and red

1:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great atmosphere in the stadium.

2:00 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

We are off

2:01 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

They're off from Sochi.

2:01 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And Croatia get as underway in Sochi tonight. Let's have some goals, lads.

2:01 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Russia are not ranked in the TOP 30!!

2:02 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good afternoon and Happy birthday, UWS. I was thinking the same about the kits, but prefer Croatia.

2:02 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cherries Jubilee with an early chance. Well blocked out.

2:03 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

oooh... chance blocked!

2:05 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Dzuyba has a shot blocked by Lovren for a corner after a cross from Cherries Off was cleared

2:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nice one, Bob. Will UWS be having any Cherries Jubilee for his birthday?

2:07 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Akinfeev blocks from Kramaric for a corner

2:07 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Relic got into a great position but his cross was blocked out for an early corner.

2:07 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Croatia should have scored there

2:07 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Corner headed on by Mandzucks and headed over by Rebic

2:08 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A sweetish birthday 🍰 for UWS to celebrate that great result earlier today

2:09 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Mandzucks has a shot blocked by the old man. Nice long ball from Rakitic

2:10 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Perisic wins a corner off of Fernandes

2:11 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Russia break...blew it

2:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Rebic wins a free kick

2:15 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Free kick chance for the Croats

2:16 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great run by Rebic earns a dangerous free kick for Croatia.

2:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Kuzaiev fouls Rebic just outside the Russian box

2:16 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Useless effort

2:17 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fred kick from Rakitic well over

2:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well over the bar from Rakitic in the end. This one is putting all of us to sleep.

2:18 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

D Bros have had power naps

2:18 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I want this one to go 120 minutes to knacker out everyone

2:18 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Bit of head tennis between the teams now.

2:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Agreed, UWS. I'd like a couple of red cards as well.

2:22 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Name the 7 United players in the semis
MUR is not allowed to answer

2:26 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Plenty on yellows too

2:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

After a breezy start to this match, it’s suddenly gone a bit flat.

2:26 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Is your screen freezing?

2:27 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Okay, UWS:

1. Paul Pogba
2. Romelu Lukaku
3. Jesse Lingard
4. Marcus Rashford

Can't think o the other three

2:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Perisic heads well wide off a cross from Vrsalko.

2:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strinic fouls Samedov.

2:30 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

2 English
1 Belgian

2:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Yes. Bob's screen is freezing too.

2:31 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

WOW....What a corker!!

2:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Cherry Soda comes up trumps for Russia!

2:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great shot after a layoff from big Dzyuba.

2:33 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Is that #4 for him?

2:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL! Cherries Off with a wonder goal from 30 yards out. Long ball headed down, Cherries Off played a one two with Dzuyba and scored a cracker in the corner

2:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well, now - Croatia will have to stop mucking about and play a bit now. Come on!

2:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Yes. That is his fourth

2:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

First shot on target for the Russians

2:34 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I want Russia...we can beat these guys!!

2:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Old Man heads out for a Croatia corner

2:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Loveren booked for a foul on Dzuyba. Seemed harsh

2:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Lovren goes in clumsily and picks up a soft yellow.

2:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It almost seems as if the Croatian players don't care. Perhaps some rubles made their way into a few Croatian bank accounts?

2:37 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strinic called for a foul on Dzuyba. Seemed like a tangling of legs

2:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strinic booked for a shirt pull on Samedov

2:39 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now it's Strnic into the book - Croatia are looking ragged.

2:39 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

1-1!!

2:40 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cherries Off heads wide as the free kick was headed on by Dzuyba.

2:40 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Finally, Croatia spring to life. Mandzuks crosses and Kramaric nods home.

1-1!

2:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL Mandzucks crossed for Kramaric to head in. All started of the goal kick

2:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fernandes fouls Hernades

2:42 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A pair of stoppage time minutes

2:46 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It's 1-1 at the half

2:48 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well, I had some lovely cat naps through that one. After the tension of the early match, that one seemed like a snoozer, despite two decent goals.

2:49 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Hair Bear, Smalling and Jones must be the last two United players still in. Am I right?

2:50 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

You missed Jones, Young and Fellaini

2:51 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Teams coming out for the second half

3:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The second half is underway from Sochi.

3:05 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Young, Cahill and Vardy...only members of the squad born the last time England made a semi final appearance

3:06 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Russia kick us off in this second half. Things are nicely poised in this one.

3:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Samedov fouls Strinic

3:08 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Not much quality...I'm happy to say

3:09 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Great fact, UWS. It's been quite some time since the last semi

3:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Rebic had a chance there but, like Sterling this morning, took an age to settle.

3:09 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Vrsaljko down for Croatia off contact from Cherries Off.

3:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A Croat is down on the floor after being whacked by Cherry Cola.

3:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Samedov is off for Erokin.

3:14 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Samedov is a real loss for Russia IMHO.

3:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great support from the home crowd now.

3:18 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

How did that not go in

3:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - off the post by Perisic! I thought that was a second goal for sure.

3:19 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

OH! Akinfeev makes a mess of a cross then after a goal mouth scramble Perisic has a shot off the inside of the post of a wide open goal

3:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Brzovic on for Perisic

3:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Perisic gets the hook only moments after nearly putting the Croats into the lead.

3:23 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Small Off on for Cherries Off coming off

3:27 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Boom boom, MUR!

3:28 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I'd bring the guy with three balls on next

Whodja Nicabolikov

3:28 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

59 out 60 games with goals

Well done everyone

3:29 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Really surprised to see the goalscorer Cherries Off being replaced now by Smolov. I thought he might be good for a freak goal in extra time.

3:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - free header there. Over the bar!

3:32 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bring on extra time

3:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Erokin heads over off a cross from Fernandes.

3:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cheers, Bob. Agreed, Dave.

3:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Strinic off for Pivaric

3:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yeah - I'm happy to see this lot go to extra time and pens.

3:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Modric has a shot blocked then vrsaljko for a corner.

3:36 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Mandzucks heads over from the corner

3:37 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Kazinsky, the opening scorer in this tournament, is coming on for Dzyuba now.

3:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Dzuyba replaced by Gazinsky

3:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Erokin in the meat and veggies off a challenge with Vida

3:41 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bring on back to back 120 minutes matches for both these guys...long plane ride....LOVE IT

3:43 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This has been the scrappiest match of the round. Very little quality on display.

3:43 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Vrsaljko with a really dumb ✋ ball.

3:44 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Stupid free kick to concede there. Gives Russia a chance from a set piece.

3:44 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

The other three matches that went into Extra Time...went to penalties

Are there ever winners in ET??

3:45 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Gifted corner for the Croats

3:46 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Erokin with a header that gifts Croatia a corner.

3:47 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Comes to nothing....no one can match England's corners!

3:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It doesn't seem like it. None of the teams go for it in extra time. They just putter about for 30 minutes and then take penalties.

3:47 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Both goal scorers have been replaced

3:47 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It was 1-1 in those there matches headed to penalties

3:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Kovacic on for Kramaric

3:48 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Another goalscorer - Kramaric - comes off. Kovavic on. Surprised that these sides are subbing off players who might take pens.

3:48 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Should ET be scrapped....keeper down hurt!!!


He can't be replaced.

3:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Croatia goalkeeper, Subasic , down

3:49 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh dear - now Subasic has pulled up with a dead leg or hammy. So which one of these plonkers is going to throw the keeper's jersey on? What a nonsense!

3:49 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

They will replace him for ET

3:50 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I would keep ET . A quintet of stoppage time minutes

3:50 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Seems to be moving better according to ITV

3:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Rebic wins a corner. And another!

3:52 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Croatia pressing

3:52 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Finally! Someone tests out Subasic's fitness and he bats it away.

3:53 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Subasic pushes away a cross from Small Off

3:53 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Hammy boy makes the save

3:53 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Last chance saloon?

3:54 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Full time!1

3:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Excellent! On to the extra time period now.

3:55 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It is 1-1. This will be decided in ET

3:55 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

LOVE IT... I want more hammy problems, broken bones, red cards and penalties that go 20-19


Still want Russia

3:56 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fourth match to be decided in ET. All have finished 1-1 in regulation

3:56 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Here here, UWS!

3:57 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

EAT is underway from Sochi

4:00 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

We are off

4:00 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Russia get us started in this extra time period.

4:01 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Keeper stays on

4:01 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Loveren heads out for a Russian corner

4:01 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It now looks like Subasic merely suffered an attack of cramp, rather than pulling a hamstring. He’s been massaged furiously, and is good to continue.

4:02 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

First penalty shoot out in WC History was West Germany v France in 82....wonder why it was the first? What did they do before that?

Remember.... ended 1-1 then France took a 3-1 lead

4:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Vrsaljko down and looking like he may be subbed. Off being treated for an injured hammy

4:05 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Before that they had replays

4:06 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now Mandzuks is now doubled over in the box.

4:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Corluka on for Vrsaljko. He also lives on the second floor with Luka Modric

4:07 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Glad to help out with the musical puns, MUR!

4:08 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

England vs MASH 1 or MASH 2

4:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This could be a long, long penalty shootout. Both sides are knackered and several players have been crocked.

4:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Nice one, UWS!

4:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Russia with a big shout for a pen. Brazilian referee sambas on.

4:10 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

What a soft goal!!

First ET time goal!

4:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Surely Loveren fouled Small off in the box off a poor back pass then Croatia wins a corner.
GOAL! Vel Vida heads in the corner

4:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Vida, the man with the worst hairstyle in the tournament rises to score from the corner.

Croatia 2-1 up!

4:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Vel Vida booked for the celebration.

4:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Golovin off and Jack Off on.

4:12 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jack Off on for Golovin

4:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Zobdin wins a free kick

4:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Vida picks up a silly yellow for his shirts-off celebration.

4:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Long Russian free kick out for a corner

4:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Zobdin heads well wide from the corner

4:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The same bloke misses another free header - went right off the top of his head. Cherchesov is disgusted with it all.

4:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A pair of stoppage time minutes in first half ET

4:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jack Off wins a free kick

4:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Last chance for Russia in this first period of extra time.

Whistle goes for a foul on Subasic. He's down crocked again. Can he continue?

4:18 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Never a foul on the keeper... what a wuss

4:18 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Subasic fouled on the free kick
Down as it's HT of ET, leading 2-1

4:18 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

First ET goal of the tournament scored

4:19 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

England are already back at home base...soaking their tootsies...keep playing!

4:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'm sure that they'd had a lovely meal and are putting their feet up with this one on the telly. Loving it!

4:20 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

What I have taken about this WC is how the fans are mixed together and celebrating for their team....very friendly in the stands

4:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Second half of ET underway.

4:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

We're away in the final period of extra time then. This one feels like it's been going for days.

4:21 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed.Great comradery among the fans.

4:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

England will be playing a really exhausted team

4:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Gazinsky booked for a foul from behind as he seems gassed

4:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Let's hope so. Gazinsky will miss the semi-final if Russia go through.

4:25 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Kudrishov down off a challenge from Kovacic

4:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Let's have a Russia goal right about now.

4:26 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Zobdin has a pass deflected for a corner. Headed out and and Subasic stops a powerful effort from Kuzaiev

4:27 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Free kick...absolute hand ball

4:29 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Ridiculous handball there from Pivaric. Yellow card for him. And a dangerous area for a free kick.

4:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Subasic palms away a cross from Small Off. Pivaric called for ✋ ball just outside the box

4:29 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

GOAL

DESMOND!!!

4:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Hernandez with a header brings on Desmond!

4:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL! Desmond. Fernandes heads in the free kick from Jack Off

4:30 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Draining out ever bit of energy both these sides have!!

4:31 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Russia have fight!!!


Semi final will be a let down for them

4:32 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Fernandez was at fault for the equalizing goal in the first place

4:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

My name is Luka . I live on the second floor, but my shot was over the penthouse

4:33 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Decent effort by the Ruskies...saved

4:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Great save by Subasic from Zobdin

4:34 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great save by Subasic with a gammy leg.

4:34 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Needn't eat the leg Thompson

4:35 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

One added minute

4:36 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A minute of ET in ET

4:36 PM  

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