Football

I haven’t followed Copa America for a hot minute. USA hosting big crowds quite a spectacle. Brazil have been poor, lots of penalty shoot outs in the knock stages. Canada making it the Semi finals though is quite something.

There have been quite a few downsides to America hosting it again for the second time in eight years. Dynamic ticket pricing, exorbitant ticket prices pricing out fans (the cheapest tickets were $120), especially from South America. VISAs for those fans. Some of the smaller profile games have attracted poor crowds and even Mexico weren't anywhere close to selling out one game.

I think the games go straight to penalties after normal time which explains all the shootouts. And USA must be really kicking themselves for sticking with Belhalter and not picking up Marsch when he was available.

Agree that the final is two close to call, Colombia are undefeated in over two years? But Argentina just seem to find a way to win, plus Martinez for pens.

There’s something like 150,000 argentines registered in Florida. Informal estimates suggest that the actual diaspora could be triple that. I’d say the ground will be pretty balanced in terms of fans.

Ticket pricing and visa costs for travelling supporters seems really unfair, as you say particularly from South America.

@jaw I think Miami hosting the final was all about capitalising on gate receipts locally and/or utilising their transport hub south.

Looking at the stats below.. what is white??? Like Karen / Bacon???

Hopefully both Colombia and Argentina fans will be well represented on Sunday and the match, special

https://youtu.be/YN1qkZe2Sts?si=_CpoIQpN6Z_TLeRy

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Enjoyed this end of year tea towel from HappyToast:

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Who is 'Mark'?

Ah - that's an oopsie!

Incredible that Ratcliffe paid £1.25bn to take control of United's footballing operations only to resign Johnny Evans.

He was c.90% of the value of the whole Norn Iron squad that went to Euro 2016. Won't hear a word against the lad. There aren't many players in this world better than Corry Evans, but he is.

https://x.com/bryansgunn/status/1812020244149334447

Excellent! 👌

A broker I used to know is posting on linkedin about having finals tickets and spaces on a chartered plane. Idk what the tickets run at, but divided up the flights are £2k pp

Ok this is good
https://youtu.be/rAarZ2qW86A?si=UPCMxCQJKhHhf2PY

Yeah

That is very, very good

"In the group stages Southgate lost it big time"

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I got teary watching this first thing this morning. Hangover definitely didn’t help

That Ollie Watkins finish really was very good.

Predictions?

2-1 to Spain or if Engerland can hold a draw then they lose on penalties with the poor soul doing the blubbing walk of shame becoming the manager in 15 years and also not wining a trophy.
Spain are on a long run of wins while Engerland have stuttered their way through, just can’t see them bludgeoning their way past Spain.
It’s not coming home no matter how many ‘years of hurt’.

That's great.

I'm going England scruffy win

In the one hand you’ve got momentum from winning all your matches well. On the other you’ve got a team who are beginning to look better.
Tournament football isn’t league football. Sometimes the worst team wins.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the game that England manage to play well in, and then narrowly lose 2-1

Exactly, like 2022 all over again.

Too close to call this one for me. 1-1 AET. England on penalties after stinking most of the tournament out.

3-0 Spain