Russia and the World Cup

[arsenal]

The reputation of Russia could hardly have been worse in recent years. From invading Crimea to starting a war in Ukraine (including arming rebels with munitions they used to shoot down a civilian airplane) to poisoning people in Britain to the PR disaster that was the Sochi Winter Olympics. The idea of having the Fifa World Cup there, a festival of not only football but of life, a party for the world in which all are welcomed was anathema to all right minded people.

Well, it turns out that Russia have hosted what is being talked about as possibly the best World Cup ever. The football has been fabulous, the atmosphere electric, passionate and friendly. Opposing fans not only sitting next to each other drinking beers but congratulating and consoling each other after the match. It has in short been absolutely everything the World Cup should be. So, Russia, well done you and regardless of any results to come you've put on a show that Qatar is going to struggle to match.

[Smiles]

It is indeed a World Cup to remember. I've watched most of the games and the quality has been quite mesmerising.
I felt like crying for the Japan team who were up 2-0 for most of the game with Belgium, but in the end lost 3-2 ... a barage of goals in the last half hour. Belgium went on to glory after that and could easily win the whole thing if they keep playing like they are.
Of course both Brazil and Argentina flew home, distraught. Neither Neymar nor Messi could help in this cup.
Up in the bleachers an obese and ghastly looking Maradona was having an heart attack.

https://goo.gl/images/tDg7JK

Who would have thought at least one South American team would not be in the final four?
And ... I think England might well go the distance. A long shot, but they are playing sublime football.

[Nirish guy]

I think England might well go the distance. A long shot, but they are playing sublime football.

Lets hope not eh as we'll NEVER hear the end of it - my god they STILL haven't stopped going on about 1966 yet ffs !

[frequent]

Lets hope not eh as we'll NEVER hear the end of it - my god they STILL haven't stopped going on about 1966 yet ffs !

The irony is that Mother Teresa forbade any official recognition by anyone from the Royal Family down, so an England win would be a poke in the eye for her

[Nirish guy]

Hmm now that I think about it, was there not something about the English FA supporting the displaying of the 3 lions rainbow themed logo on banners etc in support of LGBT inclusion etc......hmmmm if so perhaps it would be nice them if they DID get through and the whole English team decided ( or were TOLD to) to wear that short in the final !

THAT would be one great way of bringing rampant homophobia of the Russian Government to the worlds attention ( even more) as they would no doubt attempt to ban the wearing of the shirt, It would also be a nice way of giving a clear two fingers to the Kremlin and the Russians who support their governments actions against their own LGBT citizens too perhaps.

Only problem there is England really would need to be sure to win the bloody game to ensure no lose of face to the enemy !

skysports-3lionspride-flag_4330511.jpg

[frequent]

Hmm now that I think about it, was there not something about the england team wearing a rainbow coloured logo on their shirt in support of LGBT inclusion etc......hmmmm if so perhaps it would be nice if they DID get into the final - just to get wearing THAT in Russia to give two fingers to the Kremlin and the Russians that support their rampant homophobia.

It's all to do with the poisoning of people on English soil by nerve agents. The suspicion is that it's the Russians what done it, hence the disapprobation

[Marsilius]

Going back to the OP's line of thought... It's actually pretty easy for an authoritarian police state to organise a sports tournament, forcibly prevent - or hide - any forms of dissent or trouble and present a very positive face to the world that convinces many. That, after all, is what happened in the case of the 1936 Berlin Olympics where Germany was prettified for the foreign visitors and any open persecution of Jews was temporarily put on hold.

Let's not forget, either, Russia's long tradition of Potemkin Villages - structures put temporarily in place to create misleadingly favourable impressions. Originally designed to fool Catherine the Great, they later served to fool the "useful idiots" from the West who visited Russia in the 1920s and 1930s and praised the things that they were allowed to see.

Yes, everyone seems to have had a good time at the World Cup - but let's not forget the underlying nature of the Russian state.

[Nirish guy]

to fool the "useful idiots" from the West ......... and praised the things that they were allowed to see.

Not forgetting North Korea of course who are also experts in that fine art too with their Ryugyong Hotel and winter wonderland Ski village etc.

[frequent]

Not forgetting North Korea of course who are also experts in that fine art too with their Ryugyong Hotel and winter wonderland Ski village etc.

And the Singapore meeting with Trump

[scottish-guy]

It's all to do with the poisoning of people on English soil by nerve agents. The suspicion is that it's the Russians what done it, hence the disapprobation

So, if there's only suspicion as you say (and I agree), how come it's being treated as fact by the entire English MSM and the UK Govt?