The International Football Thread

[Greyco 143]

A question for the Belgian members, do people at your country actually like how the points cut in half in this time of the season? is there any criticism about this system?

Imo its horrible and unfair. The Israeli league tried it in one season, 09/10. The winners finished second in the regular seaons, and until now everyone remembers it as a "meh" title, like they shouldnt have won it.

I think it happend last season in Belgium too, with the maniac Guy Luzon.

Bit late to reply but meh.

I actually love it. Lost my interest in the Belgian league long ago. But since this system is in place I actually enjoy it. And others in my circle of friends do to. There's a buzz when the play-offs start and every season since the changes has been great entertainment until the last day of the season.

I don't get the unfair arguments either. How is it unfair? Every team knows the rules and that the emphasis of the league is in the play-offs. There's not one team that benefits over the others. You just have to make sure you're team are at their peak in the business end of the season.

And if your club follows a good policy, it's a great system. In the first half of the season you have the chance to focus on your European campaign as the points in the league have less value. Thus enabling the league to get sufficient points in the UEFA ranking. Since this system was introduced Belgium has risen in the UEFA ranking. The champions are directly in the Champions League group stages while the number 2 has a chance through the play-offs. A few years ago we had 1 team that had to play play-offs to even reach the group stages.

Also, since the early part of the season has "less value", it's a lesser risk to give youngsters a chance. You've got 3/4th of a season to bed in youngsters or new signings when you're one of the top teams. Enough time to get them ready for the 10 game play-offs at the end of the season. A decade ago the Belgian league was mocked for being a league filled with African players and 3rd rate players from Eastern Europe. The youth education has definitly improved but it's easy to see why youngsters might get their chance sooner now. Even at the teams lower in the table. They might miss the lucrative play-offs. But they have 2 months at the end of the season to take that outside shot for a European ticket or give a youngster a few games to see if he has what it takes for next season before going on the transfer market.

[zolayes 14,489]

Already the womens world cup is so much better than the men' TEAMS try to score .. no bus parking .. the refs look good with pony tails not bald heads

,, and I dont think the game is corrupt

tonight Sweden v Nigeria is fantastic ,, did you watch ireland v England last night

[iseah100 5,612]

Already the womens world cup is so much better than the men' TEAMS try to score .. no bus parking .. the refs look good with pony tails not bald heads

,, and I dont think the game is corrupt

tonight Sweden v Nigeria is fantastic ,, did you watch ireland v England last night

Most importantly, Alex Morgan[emoji7] [emoji173]

[zolayes 14,489]

Most importantly, Alex Morgan[emoji7] [emoji173]

why can't Mikel play like his sisters???

[iseah100 5,612]

why can't Mikel play like his sisters???

I'm confused. ...

[zolayes 14,489]

I'm confused. ...

watch the girls play ,, they go forward with speed .. great to watch

[zolayes 14,489]

a 3 -3 as entertaining as any game I saw in the mens WC

[samzilla 517]

Already the womens world cup is so much better than the men' TEAMS try to score .. no bus parking .. the refs look good with pony tails not bald heads

,, and I dont think the game is corrupt

tonight Sweden v Nigeria is fantastic ,, did you watch ireland v England last night

really? go back and watch canada vs the usa in the london 2012 olympics. about as shocking officiating as you'll ever see.

[Spike 12,049]

Most importantly, Alex Morgan[emoji7] [emoji173]

You like your women to look like 14 year old boys, eh?

[iseah100 5,612]

You like your women to look like 14 year old boys, eh?

Fuck off. She is super cute, hater. All you do is hate, Spike.

[Spike 12,049]

Fuck off. She is super cute, hater. All you do is hate, Spike.

'I think effeminate boys are very cute' - iseah100

Come to terms with who you are.

[iseah100 5,612]

'I think effeminate boys are very cute' - iseah100

Come to terms with who you are.

I hate you.

[Spike 12,049]

I hate you.

Embrace it. Love it. Live it.

[iseah100 5,612]

Embrace it. Love it. Live it.

[Jase 43,479]

USA just beat both the Netherlands and Germany in the space of 5-6 days, both by coming from behind to win. At this rate, they'll probably win the World Cup before England do.

[Miguelito 459]

USA just beat both the Netherlands and Germany in the space of 5-6 days, both by coming from behind to win. At this rate, they'll probably win the World Cup before England do.

'Murica

[kobematabryant 400]

USA just beat both the Netherlands and Germany in the space of 5-6 days, both by coming from behind to win. At this rate, they'll probably win the World Cup before England do.

They are better than England at football, hands down. Last World cup, they got to the 2nd round, qualifying out of a hard group. The year before, they finished the group higher than England. I can't understand some English attitude looking down on USA.

[iseah100 5,612]

'Murica

They are better than England at football, hands down. Last World cup, they got to the 2nd round, qualifying out of a hard group. The year before, they finished the group higher than England. I can't understand some English attitude looking down on USA.