To be excited about the World Cup starting!

[user1471517900]

I know FIFA and Russia and whoever is involved is horrible in some way... But it's the actual World Cup. Mexico v South Korea suddenly becomes hugely important to my life! England have a likeable squad and manager. Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar. Spain sacking their manager yesterday.

It's so exciting isn't it!

I think England have a tough group though.

It looks easier on paper. Belgium have some good players ( so I’m told)

Shearer is a decent pundit or he wouldn’t be there on pretty much all the big occasions.

Most pundits tend to say the same things usually. They are all a bit boring.

Belgium has Kevin De Bruyne. Enough said.

Controversial VAR decision

Agree, he was going down anyway.

Didn’t look like a penalty to me .
France have woken up now.

I looked up Kevin bloke rose/ looks a threat.
I think it’ll be s hard match!

I don't think Shearer's very good. Most of them offer little more than insight that the bloke down the pub. Me and my son have a fun time commenting on the commentators...

'He's hit that too well Clive' - oh, well why didn't he score then?
'It's been coming' - How come you never said it before then?
'The next goal could be crucial' - aren't they all crucial?
'3 points is a must from this fixture' - is it? so there'll be no more football ever if they don't win?
'He'll be looking forward to that fixture' - well, he's not gonna be looking backwards is he?

The female commentators (so far) tend to be less laden with cliche and it makes for a refreshing listen.

The media establishment (Lineker, Shearer etc) are just nice friendly faces who speak reasonably well and appeal to the masses. I don't think it means they offer exceptional insight though.

Shearer and Gary know where the bodies are buried.
Good penalty

Oh dear Umtiti.
Great penalty

France will do a 2014.
Sue Smith is boring, don’t like the way she speaks, but my nerves are already deadened by Lawrenson commentary 😂 I don’t like Neville esp when Utd are playing but don’t mind him as a pundit on the whole

I'm glad the Russians won at home. There are millions of normal Russian fans watching, who will have been over the moon. Good for them.

Yes to Lawrenson, the way he goes on about Liverpool you would think they had won the Premier League on a regular basis, hate it when he is on MOTD. Not a fan of Jason Cundy either.

Or Danny Murphy

The danger for the tournament is when Russia go out, and enthusiasm dwindles, but it's a fantastic way for a nation to open up and show other nations some national culture.

I also hope it helps Russians open their hearts a little to really being part of Europe - although they have good reason (like Britain) to be wary!

Love Dion Dublin though

I loathe Shearer. I disliked him a a player too. Dirty player.

The media is drowning in Arsenal, United and Liverpool. A reflection of them having the largest numbers of fans and their success. However, it does tend to be self-fulfilling.

It's starting to change now, but the new wave will still be symptomatic of whoever was successful in the last 10 - 20 years. There seems to be an assumption that players from successful clubs must have a better understanding of the game, or maybe more likely they have a little bit more insight behind the scenes of whichever clubs are being shown on TV for the most amount of subscriptions...

Want to please 10 million United and Liverpool fans? get old United and Liverpool faves as pundits. Starting to see more ex Chelsea now, and soon it'll be more ex Man City.

Unlucky Australia, relieved France. The second half was quite entertaing.

Iceland v Argentina next, go Gylfi and co!

Phil Neville broke it

No excitement from me whatsoever . I find most sport highly overrated though . Grown men and a ball ? No thanks

Ian Wright is funny though.

Arriba Peru, a reminder how much it means to people.

Arriba Peru That film was brilliant

There is an interesting story about the Peru's captain Guerro? (sp) and his fight to be allowed to play in this World Cup. Looking forward to seeing their game later, will be keeping an eye on Eriksen.