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!

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the other groups.

I think Columbia will beat Senegal. We might be better off finishing second in our group.

Croatia have played well so far too.

I've just realised, The Netherlands didnt qualify.

The Netherlands absolutely bombed in the qualifiers. They were appalling. Much national angst there I can tell you.

I'm still buzzing this morning

Not just England, this has produced some of the best (and bizarre) international football I've seen in a long time.

I'm quite partial to a Dutch bloke. Disappointing.

Ah well, the show must go on. I think Uruguay will beat Russia. Spain and Portugal will win too.

My ex is Dutch. We went to the Euros in Switzerland to support them in 2008 (when England didn't qualify) and had an amazing time. Those Dutch fans like to party!

If you're near London there's a great Dutch pub in the west End called De Hems. That's a very good place to go and watch NL play. And eat Dutch snacks.

I wonder if my friend fancies having her hen do in Dutch Pub. I'm single, might meet a nice Dutch fella.

That sounds like a plan!

I've watched NL play in lots of places around the world. No matter where you are there are always orange-clad people there to share it with.

I still haven't got used to the idea that Italy aren't there either!

Lots of negativity about the England game though - Panama were not a proper test, pub team, etc etc.
Belgium will be different i guess as they have some good players and won all their opening matches.
we can but hope - at least they are through to the last 16 unlike the Euro's two years ago! but still the press like to run them down a lot.

Panama were a rubbish team but we took them to the cleaners. Germany are a world class team and they lost against Mexico and only just scraped a win against Sweden. They should have performed better than that.

I think England are doing great. They have a young enthusiastic team which makes a nice change from the dismal performances we saw from Rooney et al in recent world cups.

Belgium will be different i guess as they have some good players and won all their opening matches

Yes they do have "some good players" which is why they're ranked third in the world

Some good players!?!?!?!
😂

Once it’s whittled down to the last 16, it will be quite interesting.

There should be no “rubbish” teams, then. Lol

Belgium are an interesting one.

Team stock full of talent but didn't looked a bit lacklustre in last couple of games.

Suspect Belgium will beat England on Thursday but they're still not my pick for winning or even the final.

Oh dear, Russia.

That was more the Russia I was expecting to see, Saudi and Egypt were very poor.

I expect Spain and Portugal to go through or will Iran cause an upset?

I think Portugal will win. I cant see them giving up so easily.

Portugal have got the trickier tie. I can’t see a massive upset occurring though.

Portugal and Spain will go through I'm pretty certain. Just about to tune in to Portugal v Iran.

Just tuning in - oh a goal from Morocco!

Oh, dont choke now, Spain.

Brilliant header for Morocco to retake the lead. This will be an upset of it stays like this! Only 5 minutes plus stoppages to go.