I expect this to be an easy result for Les Bleus. What do you think?
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Come for the politics, stay for the snark.
We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.
Good lord, these people are nuts.
Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.
Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?
Cancel the cowardly Times and Post and set up an equivalent monthly donation to ProPublica.
This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.
Dear media: perhaps we ought to let Donald Trump speak for himself!
Come on, man.
Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.
This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.
SCOTUS: It’s not “bribery” unless it comes from the Bribery region of France. Otherwise, it’s merely “sparkling malfeasance”.
We are learning that “working class” means “white” for way too many people.
You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.
Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”
It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.
No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.
The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.
Trumpflation is an intolerable hardship for every American, and it’s Trump’s fault.
I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.
You would normally have to try pretty hard to self-incriminate this badly.
That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.
When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?
Republicans do not trust women.
He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!
humboldtblue
They haven’t beaten the Albanians in two recent meetings. Today should be different.
Note — if you need any more reason to love and support the Icelanders their supporters have provided the needed oomph. Here they are singing before yesterday’s Portugal match.
Here is the song they were singing, it was originally written by a Hungarian and had no lyrics and the Icelanders made it their own.
FlipYrWhig
Albania, Albania, you border on the Adriatic. Your land is mostly mountainous and your chief export is chrome!
tsquared2001
Les Bleus 3-1
tsquared2001
@humboldtblue: That Iceland match was a corker. It was just pouring out and normally that would have pissed me off since I am on vacation but staying in turned out pretty cool.
Tony J
You’ve got to hand it to the Albanians they’re not rolling over for the hosts. Solid defending, constant pressing and breaking whenever they get the chance. Tactically they’re doing everything right.
Chance of an upset? Not out of the question. A lot depends on how France respond to being stymied. Can they make their extra quality count or are they going to get frustrated and panic?
Tony J
Martial off, Pogba on.
tsquared2001
@Tony J: These Euros have shown tons of teams who are not afraid of who they are supposed to lose to.
France saved by the woodwork there.
Tony J
@tsquared2001:
If his head had been at a slightly different angle when it came back off the post that Albanian striker could have scored an entirely accidental goal.
And up the other end Pogba nearly gets one on target. At some point one of these chances is going to go in, and currently I’m thinking France might be having one of those nights when it just doesn’t come off.
Tony J
And yeah, so far in this tournament there are no whipping boys on show. Some teams might be a tad limited in their quality relative to the established big teams but they’re all playing to their strengths and building on strong, organized defenses.
Steeplejack (phone)
And now Albania saved by the woodwork!
humboldtblue
The French are showing their class, Albania hanging on now and that woodwork does not have any termites that’s for sure.
Steeplejack (phone)
Albania has been surprisingly solid so far, but it looks like the momentum is tilting toward France.
humboldtblue
Albania has talent, in fact think of what a modern Yugoslavia team would look like with the combination of Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Albania still unified.
Steeplejack (phone)
@humboldtblue:
I don’t think Albania was part of Yugoslavia.
Tony J
@humboldtblue:
Albania wasn’t part of Yugoslavia, you thinking of Kosovo?
Your point stands, though. A unified Yugoslav team would be very, very good.
Tony J
No! Sickener for Albania. They deserved something out of this game. 5 mins to get a goal back.
Thor Heyerdahl
@Steeplejack (phone): Albania was ruled by Hoxha and not by Tito.
humboldtblue
@Steeplejack (phone): @Tony J:
My bad, I thought it was, guess I missed Kosovo and Macedonia.
Doesn’t matter now, France will be first to qualify for knockout rounds and Albania is going home absolutely heartbroken.
Randinho
Another likely smash and grab win for a major power. Say what you will about the expansion to 24 teams but the minnows are not becoming bait.
Would love to see dragons eating lions tomorrow.
humboldtblue
@Randinho:
As long as the Russians are gone I don’t care what happens after this one.
Hopefully we’ll now see a lot more of this than fucking Russian thugs.
Tony J
@humboldtblue:
Albania will be gutted, but it’s not definitely over for them. Because four of the six third placed teams go through to the next round it’s possible that three points from a win in their last game would take them through if two other teams from the other groups fail to win a game or only pick up a point over the three games.
Fingers crossed that’s Portugal and Russia.
Runt
The state of the pitch was once again terrible. The players are slipping and sliding as if they’re playing on ice.
humboldtblue
@Tony J: I keep forgetting the third place teams and Albania deserve a break, they have played two very good matches.
Tony J
@Randinho:
Tomorrow is going to be a proper Premier League style game, which favours England because of the greater spread of quality thought the team. I’d love Wales (and both of the Irish sides) to progress, but tomorrow is all about the three points we need to guarantee Qualification.
Tony J
@humboldtblue:
They have, solid and willing to work the ball up the pitch and go for goals. I’m thoroughly enjoying this tournament, no idea who is going to win it (though it’s always a good idea to bet on Germany).
humboldtblue
@Randinho: I think England squeaks out a 2-1 win with Sturridge racing past his Reds teammate Joe Allen to put one just out of reach of his newest Reds teammate, Danny Ward.
Also, Randinho, if you could find a way to get this speech by Utah Lt. Governor Spencer Cox to the front page I am sure it would spur some discussion.
humboldtblue
@Tony J: What was it Gary Lineker said?
Tony J
@humboldtblue:
Ha! Quality quote. Almost always accurate too.