Russia vs Saudi Arabia

[ad hoc]

Which of these corrupt war-mongering dictatorships to back? Does anyone think that even given Russia apparently being utterly rubbish there is the slightest chance that the opposition will be permitted to win this game?

And, why is the opening game on a Thursday? It couldn't have anything to do with it being the last day of Ramadan could it? (Was the opening date known before Russia's opponents were decided?)

[N est à?]

Yes, it was.

[N est à?]

Last time the opening game was on a thursday as well. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

[ad hoc]

Gah, a conspiracy theory without foundation.... who could have imagined

[Pérou Flaquettes]

Fuck, you do have some tough Qs first thing in the afternoon...

I'm looking at the Saudi squad here, nearly all of them are from Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.

[Incandenza]

Saudi Arabia didn't look that bad in the bit of their friendly against Germany that I watched. They could win.

[Ray de Galles]

I posed the same question on Facebook a while ago, any possible way of establishing a preference in the Dictatorship Derby.

Russia’s anthem is one of the all time greats, just not sure that’s enough.

[E10 Rifle]

2-0 to Saudi Arabia

[ad hoc]

I feel like a Saudi win would humiliate Russia's leaders, Putin in particular, and cause pleasure amongst regular Saudis. Whereas a Russian win- while presumably going down well among regular Russians- would not have the same effect in rendering Salman as ashamed and humiliated. I'm leaning very slightly towards Saudi for this reason, though I could quite happily shift.

In other questions, is the official "code" for this game RUSKSA? And was this what a two year old Mark E Smith used to shout when asked if he wanted some biscuits?

[Ray de Galles]

ITV covering any tournament match is a foul slur on football but the OPENING GAME?! This shall not stand.

[Crusoe]

I feel like a Saudi win would humiliate Russia's leaders, Putin in particular, and cause pleasure amongst regular Saudis. Whereas a Russian win- while presumably going down well among regular Russians- would not have the same effect in rendering Salman as ashamed and humiliated. I'm leaning very slightly towards Saudi for this reason, though I could quite happily shift.

In other questions, is the official "code" for this game RUSKSA? And was this what a two year old Mark E Smith used to shout when asked if he wanted some biscuits?

This. And applause-ah.

[Duncan Gardner]

Bog Annette on form early doors. With all due respect to Senor Arbitro, agreed there's Nevskiy Prospekt of a shock in this one

[Pietro Paolo Virdis]

Saudi Arabia can bugger right off. Sometimes it's easy to chose between plague and cholera.
3-1 to Russia.

[willemglen]

*Edited: No links to illegal streams allowed*

[wittoner]

I just hope the Russians have done their job on the referee properly as I've gone for Saudi to get the first red card of the competition in our office prediction competition.

If they finish with 11 men, let alone win, I'll feel you can't rely on anything in this world anymore.

[longeared]

ITV covering any tournament match is a foul slur on football but the OPENING GAME?! This shall not stand.

BBC have only had the opening game once this century - 2006.

[Ray de Galles]

Yes, been discussing that elsewhere, I wonder if the BBC demur on the opener as they know the games are often duds and the ceremonies deadly dull.

[Felicity, I guess so]

Robbie's singing is certainly dud so far

[Pietro Paolo Virdis]

Great of Robbie to pay tribute to Milan by wearing red and black.

[Felicity, I guess so]

Interpreter struggling a bit- you'd think they'd have gien him the text in advance

[Wouter D]

Robbie giving the camera the finger was an interesting way to spice up an encore.

[Ray de Galles]

Was Putin wearing a novelty bra?

[Kevin S]

The 'Cosy Madonna'?

[Jah Womble]

Robbie's singing is certainly dud so far

Thankfully I had a 'phone call just before he came on, so the sound was off.

16/1 Russia to win 3-1, you say? That's pretty decent.

[Sean of the Shed]

Those are nipple buffers coming out of the stand