The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) The second day of knockouts and the third tie sees the formidable French side under Didier Deschamps come up against Poland under former goalkeeper Czeslaw Michniewicz. France are spoiling us with a formation! How have they done so far? France: Won their qualifying group unbeaten and beat Australia and Denmark before their second string lost to Tunisia. Poland: Finished second in a qualifying group containing England, Hungary and Albania then beat Sweden 2-0 in a playoff after a bye against Russia. Kept two clean sheets before losing to Argentina in the group stage but only scored against Saudi Arabia when they won 2-0. One Mexico goal from elimination but qualified second from their group on goal difference. Last 16 regulars? France: In recent times, yes, despite high profile failures. They beat Argentina 4-3 in 2018 when Mbappé came to the world's attention, defeated Nigeria 2-0 in 2014 and knocked out Spain 3-1 in 2006. Since the 16-team knockout stage was put in place, France have never lost at this stage. Poland: This is their first knockout tie since 1986 when they lost 4-0 to Brazil at this stage of the tournament. They have failed to qualify 5 times, and only made the groups three times since then. However they finished third in both 1974 and 1982 in the days of two group stages. History between the sides? Poland beat France in the 1982 third place playoff 3-2, lost twice to the French in Euro 68 qualifying and drew twice in qualification for Euro 96. Recent matches have been low scoring affairs, with the last 5 matches producing 4 goals in total. The last three meetings have all been friendlies, the most recent in 2011 when a Poland side with Szczesny and Lewandowski lost 1-0 to a France side featuring Younes Kaboul and Charles N'Zogbia - none of the French players on the pitch in that match can feature in today's game. You'd have to fancy France but they lost on pens to Switzerland in Euro 2020 and have struggled to put goals past lower ranking sides in qualifying, so who knows... Should it go to penalties, Szczesny has already saved two this World Cup. Edited December 4, 2022 by The_jagster 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris79 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 I've never experienced something like that I guess. Poland doing "well" in a big tournament and absolutely no signs of enthusiasm, no optimism in the country. Everyone seems to be simply tired and embarrassed by the way the team has been playing, everyone seems to be expecting an awful performance today, resulting in a big loss. I don't think I've seen a single car with a Polish flag in the city in the last week or two. Normally there were a lot of them when we played at W/EURO. And it is hard to find any kind of hope for today, anything like "well maybe today this player will start to performs, that tactic will start to work". Even the players keep on saying they will play the same way. I am generally in a "I wish it was over already" mood. That said, anything is possible in football and apart from 80 minutes of Argentina game, we have been very pragmatic and effective tactically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 France should steamroll this lot but, knowing Deschamps, it's gonna be boring 1-0 (or god forbid, 2-0) victory for Mbappe and pals... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Mbappé vs Maty Kasz. That should be fun. France were probably the most convincing team in the group stage (just forget about the Tunisia game) and I'm anticipating another strong performance from the champs. Trois-un, Les Bleus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 I want Poland to make an upset, but I don't want England to play Poland in the quarters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Poland have got to turn up today, surely. Probably shown the least out of all the R16 teams so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TalkSport Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Hope Poland attack. Continue what they did in the groups it'll be a pathetic game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulthard's Jaw Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 HERE WE HERE WE HERE WE... goooo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 This feels like a very comfortable win for France coming up. Poland have got to show something. They're gonna be defensive and that's fair and understandable but they really need to try and attack far more than they did against Argentina, which was just an awful display considering they weren't far off going out. If they play like that all France need to do is show patience, they'll get one eventually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 I find Pocchetino a bit too difficult to listen to, I have to really concentrate to hear what he's saying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK22 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) Robyn Cowen Dion Dublin The commentary dream team Edited December 4, 2022 by AK22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Robyn "It's in!" Cowen on commentary. The third female commentator the BBC have used at the World Cup, and comfortably the third-best of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthCoastRed Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, CFuller said: Robyn "It's in!" Cowen on commentary. The third female commentator the BBC have used at the World Cup, and comfortably the third-best of them. Fourth best, of three Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Lucas Posted December 4, 2022 Administrators Share Posted December 4, 2022 Only player I'm rooting for is Woj. I'd be very surprised if Poland turn up here, they've been pretty poor. Has Lewandowski done much for the side ever outside of qualifying for tournaments? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Just now, Lucas said: Has Lewandowski done much for the side ever outside of qualifying for tournaments? Second time they made it out of the groups, after 2016. They beat Switzerland on penalties in first knockout round, then lost on penalties to portugal. That was the golden generation. Everything since has been awful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthCoastRed Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Absolute battering this one, hopefully Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris79 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, Lucas said: Only player I'm rooting for is Woj. I'd be very surprised if Poland turn up here, they've been pretty poor. Has Lewandowski done much for the side ever outside of qualifying for tournaments? Was good in 2016 but everyone was then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Lucas Posted December 4, 2022 Administrators Share Posted December 4, 2022 Just now, GunmaN1905 said: Second time they made it out of the groups, after 2016. They beat Switzerland on penalties in first knockout round, then lost on penalties to portugal. That was the golden generation. Everything since has been awful. At UEFA Euro 2016 in France, Lewandowski did not have a shot on target until the last-16 match against Switzerland in Saint-Étienne.[223] Guess that answers my question 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icondacarver Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 I hope France score early. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) Lots of fans dressed as green seats so far directly opposite the camera. Fair amount of white ones too. Edited December 4, 2022 by Darius1998 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK22 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 So many empty seats Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallen Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 3 minutes ago, CFuller said: Robyn "It's in!" Cowen on commentary. The third female commentator the BBC have used at the World Cup, and comfortably the third-best of them. I will always remember when England won the Euros and she said “We can now finally say those three words!!!… It’s home!!!” 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 Poland pressing beyond halfway, whatever next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Some good intent from Poland there thank **** Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icondacarver Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, The_jagster said: Poland pressing beyond halfway, whatever next Just now, Pukey said: Some good intent from Poland there thank **** Jinxed it now. Watch them retreat! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, Icondacarver said: Jinxed it now. Watch them retreat! In fairness I expected absolutely nothing so I've already been treated to more than I thought Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATV Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 wonder if Griezmann will contribute today he's been poor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) I prefer Cowan to Meulensteen... (not just because she mentioned N'Zogbia like I did in the OP although my source had it as an og) On balance I prefer the radio commentators to the TV but there is a slightly different atmosphere, on the radio it is a touch more casual. Murray and McNamara are better than Mowbray imo and I get confused between Bower and Wilson on tv Edited December 4, 2022 by The_jagster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 He's been mocked but Griezmann is France's 2nd best player, pure technique Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 11 minutes ago, Icondacarver said: I hope France score early. Nah, let them sweat a little Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, EnterUsernameHere said: He's been mocked but Griezmann is France's 2nd best player, pure technique And contributes defensively, kind of unlucky to be outshone by the best player in the world. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATV Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 if you'd never seen him play before this would cup you'd be doubting that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 France the better team but this hasn't been bad at all from Poland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Lucas Posted December 4, 2022 Administrators Share Posted December 4, 2022 Decent attempt there by Lewa. He’s going to score if he gets many more of those. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Rather selfish from Lewa there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallen Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 7 minutes ago, ATV said: if you'd never seen him play before this would cup you'd be doubting that He’s been really good at this world cup imo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulthard's Jaw Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Poland right in this at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallen Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 minute ago, Smallen said: He’s been really good at this world cup imo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Why isn't that a yellow for Dembele? He obviously hears the whistle and stops playing, then kicks the ball away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK22 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Got to score there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulthard's Jaw Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Poor play all round there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Think Dembélé would have been offside there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Dion's right. Not sure why Dembele pelted that across box Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Poland have given themselves trouble a couple of times now, really got away with it there, can't keep doing that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) Dunno what Dion was on about, it was a terrible miss Pass was sub-optimal but should defo be scoring Edited December 4, 2022 by The_jagster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Just now, skybluedave said: Dion's right. Not sure why Dembele pelted that across box Yeah at first I thought it was really bad from Giroud but he really fizzes it and all Giroud can do is throw himself at it and hope for the best. It looks like a shocking miss but it's one that's harder than it looks to score. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 That's a horrible decision. Yellow card as well. Some of the refereeing has been woeful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Can this "best player on the team takes the free-kick" practice stop already? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Cristiano special. Didn't look like a foul in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 A Kolarov smash it special Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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