2018 World Cup Final
Following up on World Cup 2018 Group Stage, Gameday 3 , Round of 16 , Great 8 (Quarterfinals) and Semi Finals...
Les Bleus path to the final (pay attention):
W vs Australia 2-1
W vs Peru 1-0
T vs Denmark 0-0 (meaningless game)
W vs Argentina 4-3 (came back from down 1-2)
W vs Uruguay 2-0
W vs Belgium 1-0
Yes, in 120 minutes only TWO shots on goal vs 7, from the field 11 vs 22; corners 4 vs 8; possession 44 vs 56%. In other words, despite appearances Croatia dominated the game. What has become habitual, and seems to be pedestrian is anything but. More later...
Kockasti path to the final (pay attention):
W vs Nigeria 2-0
W vs Argentina 3-0
W vs Iceland 2-1 (meaningless game played by subs)
W vs Denmark 1-1 (comeback from down 1-0; 3-2 on penalties)
W vs Russia 2-2 (comeback from down 1-0; 4-3 on penalties)
W vs England 2-1 (comeback from down 1-0 to win in OT)
Funny thing, at the beginning of the knockout round, I said to a friend - probably Croatia vs France in the final which was 12 to 1 - but I would not bet it. My friend asked why?
With inferior teams playing for ties, too many ways to lose in OT or the lottery known as penalty kicks. And now we wish we had bet it. FYI, pre tournament final pairing of France vs Croatia - 25 to 1.
In this final France are heavy favorites to win -220; Croatia +190; to win in regulation 5 to 1; to win in any fashion 2.65 to 1.
Croatia vs France History:
2-1 France - FIFA WC 1998 Semi Final in France
2-2 Draw - 2004 UEFA EURO Championship Group B Match Play
After going 12 of 16 or 75% in Group play; and 5 of 8 or 63% in the Round of 16, [Russia's gift penalty kick win knocked us off our 75% mark]....
In the quarter finals 2 of 4 for 50%, we would have been 75% had we not elected to put the whammy on old yellow stains [by taking them to beat a clearly superior Belgian side].
In the semi's in taking an impressive English side over a "spent" Croatia, we changed horse's mid stream, going 1 of 2 or 50%.
Overall, 20 of 30 for 66% and not the 75% or 23+ correct we had hoped for. And now our predictions for the final, winners in bold. There are no suspended players.
Initial impressions: Earlier we said pay attention... and we meant it.
Common opponents: Denmark drew with France in a meaningless Group game; Round of 16, Croatia came back and went to penalties to win.
Round of 16, France came back from down 2-1 to win 4-3 vs Argentina; Croatia whipped Los Gauchos 3-0 in Group play.
Both sides came through tough UEFA qualifying groups, France with Sweden and the Netherlands; Croatia with Iceland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Turkey. In this WC Croatia had the tougher qualifying group with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria.
France have pitched 4 clean sheets and are the seemingly stronger, more rested side.
Oddly, in their last three matches Les Bleus have only dominated in possession vs Uruguay, shots vs Belgium, and more important, being efficient in taking advantage of their few opportunities, viz cashing in on the final score.
In stark contrast, after trailing in regulation, Croatia have come from behind in their last three games to win twice on penalties, once in OT.
Once initially trailing, in an effort to draw even, a team becomes stretched on the field and exposed to counters.
In all three instances, despite falling behind and having to scrap back to victory, the Kockasti have dominated their opposition in shots on goal, target, possession and corners.
Now having played an extra 90 minutes or ONE FULL game, and with one day's less rest prior to the final, are the Kockasti finally spent? Not so fast Joe...
We expect France as the early aggressor to gain the lead, Croatia to later assert through Modric at mid field and claw back into a tie. Overtime, a possible shoot out, and going out on a limb, what could be termed an upset await.
1C France
vs
1D Croatia
Despite beating down a severely overrated Brazilian side, in qualification and this tournament, Belgium have played a far weaker schedule (vs England, both sides rested their starters) than France...
A superior [to Brazil] French side awaits to test the Belgian backside and resolve in the semis.
Les Bleus could be dangerous.... Indeed they can be on both sides of the ball.The disparity in level of competition became apparent, as the French pitched their fourth clean sheet in six outings, subduing a potent Belgian attack 1-0 in advancing to the final.
Les Bleus path to the final (pay attention):
W vs Australia 2-1
W vs Peru 1-0
T vs Denmark 0-0 (meaningless game)
W vs Argentina 4-3 (came back from down 1-2)
W vs Uruguay 2-0
W vs Belgium 1-0
Another unimpressive Croatian win (over host Russia) 2-2 on penalty kicks (4-3). Even though Croatia intended to win in 90' they became the 1st team to win back to back via lottery since 1990 Argentina (whose only intent was to get to penalties).
The Three Lions fitted Blue Swede with a clean sheet 2-0, and the more offensive minded Kockasti await in the semi's. England have beaten one of the two toughest qualifying schedule teams (Sweden).
After two consecutive 120+ penalty kick matches vs weaker sides (Denmark, Russia) Croatia could be spent?Spent? Not so fast Joe... For a record third consecutive outing, Croatia went to OT 120 minutes, and managed to knockout the Three Lions 2-1. How? After going up 1-0 at 5', England did not get their other shot on goal until the OT.
Yes, in 120 minutes only TWO shots on goal vs 7, from the field 11 vs 22; corners 4 vs 8; possession 44 vs 56%. In other words, despite appearances Croatia dominated the game. What has become habitual, and seems to be pedestrian is anything but. More later...
Kockasti path to the final (pay attention):
W vs Nigeria 2-0
W vs Argentina 3-0
W vs Iceland 2-1 (meaningless game played by subs)
W vs Denmark 1-1 (comeback from down 1-0; 3-2 on penalties)
W vs Russia 2-2 (comeback from down 1-0; 4-3 on penalties)
W vs England 2-1 (comeback from down 1-0 to win in OT)
Funny thing, at the beginning of the knockout round, I said to a friend - probably Croatia vs France in the final which was 12 to 1 - but I would not bet it. My friend asked why?
With inferior teams playing for ties, too many ways to lose in OT or the lottery known as penalty kicks. And now we wish we had bet it. FYI, pre tournament final pairing of France vs Croatia - 25 to 1.
In this final France are heavy favorites to win -220; Croatia +190; to win in regulation 5 to 1; to win in any fashion 2.65 to 1.
Croatia vs France History:
2-1 France - FIFA WC 1998 Semi Final in France
2-2 Draw - 2004 UEFA EURO Championship Group B Match Play
After going 12 of 16 or 75% in Group play; and 5 of 8 or 63% in the Round of 16, [Russia's gift penalty kick win knocked us off our 75% mark]....
In the quarter finals 2 of 4 for 50%, we would have been 75% had we not elected to put the whammy on old yellow stains [by taking them to beat a clearly superior Belgian side].
In the semi's in taking an impressive English side over a "spent" Croatia, we changed horse's mid stream, going 1 of 2 or 50%.
Overall, 20 of 30 for 66% and not the 75% or 23+ correct we had hoped for. And now our predictions for the final, winners in bold. There are no suspended players.
Initial impressions: Earlier we said pay attention... and we meant it.
Common opponents: Denmark drew with France in a meaningless Group game; Round of 16, Croatia came back and went to penalties to win.
Round of 16, France came back from down 2-1 to win 4-3 vs Argentina; Croatia whipped Los Gauchos 3-0 in Group play.
Both sides came through tough UEFA qualifying groups, France with Sweden and the Netherlands; Croatia with Iceland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Turkey. In this WC Croatia had the tougher qualifying group with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria.
France have pitched 4 clean sheets and are the seemingly stronger, more rested side.
Oddly, in their last three matches Les Bleus have only dominated in possession vs Uruguay, shots vs Belgium, and more important, being efficient in taking advantage of their few opportunities, viz cashing in on the final score.
In stark contrast, after trailing in regulation, Croatia have come from behind in their last three games to win twice on penalties, once in OT.
Once initially trailing, in an effort to draw even, a team becomes stretched on the field and exposed to counters.
In all three instances, despite falling behind and having to scrap back to victory, the Kockasti have dominated their opposition in shots on goal, target, possession and corners.
Now having played an extra 90 minutes or ONE FULL game, and with one day's less rest prior to the final, are the Kockasti finally spent? Not so fast Joe...
We expect France as the early aggressor to gain the lead, Croatia to later assert through Modric at mid field and claw back into a tie. Overtime, a possible shoot out, and going out on a limb, what could be termed an upset await.
1C France
vs
1D Croatia
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