World Cup: Group C (SAMARAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Locke.]

http://i.imgur.com/CnS8ZIz.jpg

Teams:
Colombia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan

Star Players:
Kostas Mitroglou & Kostas Manolas (Greece)
Yaya Toure & Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Jackson Martinez & Carlos Bacca (Colombia)
Keisuke Honda & Shinji Kagawa (Japan)

Group Winner Odds:
Colombia - Evens
Ivory Coast - 3/1
Japan - 4/1
Greece - 7/1

Locke's Expert Analysis:
Colombia are missing Falcao but on paper they probably still have the strongest squad and you'd expect Jackson Martinez and Bacca to get some goals still. However Greece's very strong defence should guarantee them a few points if they play as well as they can and they have Mitroglou up top who has proven over the last 18 months that he can get big goals when needed. Ivory Coast have only made the World Cup twice before and failed to get out the group stage on both occasions, although in really tough groups, this year is their chance to break that record, but I'm going for Colombia & Greece to go through.

[Calderyon]

Probably the most even matched group in the tournament, with every team having a seemingly equal change to qualify. Expect a good amount of draws on this group. As a South American team i think Colombia has the best chance to finish first on the group and will do so.

Battle for second place will be a tough battle between three teams.
Japan has an okay all around team, while Ivory Coast has good offence and Greece has a good all-defensive strategy with players that apply to it. It will be so tight that their matches with Colombia and the goal difference will determine the positions. At this point i think Ivory Coast will be the one finishing second, although Japan and Greece might surprise.

[Novo]

Japan and Columbia to qualify here, Greece won't get the goals they need and Japan's 3 pong attack will destroy them, I'll be surprised if Greece win ant of their matches actually

[Locke.]

**** right off you horrible bastard

[Drew.]

James Rodríguez > Bacca

[Novo]

I'm not Avin this Drew

[Locke.]

It is going to be Euro 2004 all over again

[Locke.]

"All of Greece's wins in the knockout stage came in an identical manner: a 1–0 win, with the goal being a header off a cross from the right wing."

An identical repeat 10 years later

[Shaun]

i bloody hope not, that was more boring than Spain's continual 1-0 wins :fist:

[Novo]

"All of Greece's wins in the knockout stage came in an identical manner: a 1–0 win, with the goal being a header off a cross from the right wing."

An identical repeat 10 years later

Greece beat Portugal 2-1 in the opening game :pipe:

[Locke.]

Read it again you bloody idiot

[Locke.]

"All of Greece's wins in the knockout stage came in an identical manner: a 1–0 win, with the goal being a header off a cross from the right wing."

knockout stage

knockout stage

knockout stage

knockout stage

knockout stage

[Novo]

Its not really that impressive then is it

[Locke.]

Russia - 0 European Championship's
Greece - 1 European Championship

[seanraff07]

This is the most unpredictable group for me, any of them could go through.

I just have that feeling Greece will get through, them and Colombia for me

[Drew.]

Japan and Columbia for me.

[Novo]

The Russian linesman that won England the World Cup > Whole of Greece

[Locke.]

Not long to go until the big one!!!!!

[Ryan57]

Iran vs Bosnia?

[Locke.]

Mitroglou has set off early in search of the stadium

http://www.sportdog.gr/sites/default/files/imagecache/inside_large/article/2012_12/kourkouti-mitroglou-papi-glx1.jpg

[Drew.]

http://www.lasportsanostra.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/James-Rodriguez.jpeg

[MTVN]

Just realised we have a 2am match tonight, great stuff

[Locke.]

Greece XI - Karnezis; Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone; Salpingidis, Torosidis, Gekas, Sokratis; Cholevas, Katsouranis.

Colombia XI - Ospina, Zapata, Yepes, Sanchez, Armero, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Ibarbo, Zuniga

Mitroglou not fully fit so Gekas starts up top, it's going to be a long 90 minutes

[Marc]

G'wan Columbia pls

[Verbal]

Used to love lwatching Colombia play when Hiquita was in goal

o0NZCSZZj5Q

[Jemal]

Still gutted we didn't sign James rodriguez

[Verbal]

You can add Wilfried Bony to the Ivory Coast star players as well:fist:

[Drew.]

AMERO!!!

[Drew.]

That celebration >

[Jemal]

Gekas aint the same player 4-6 years ago.
#BringonKostas

[Drew.]

Tactical cam of the game under live coverage on the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/27441242

[Verbal]

Tactical cam of the game under live coverage on the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/27441242

I've watched the games through the website and hadn't noticed that. Thanks.

[Jemal]

Did Sotris Ninis get a call up?

[Locke.]

Greece having a lot more of the ball than I was expecting, I think there's a goal in this for them especially when Mitroglou comes on for Gekas. Kone has looked decent when on the ball and Manolas has been excellent at CB (apart from that 1 mistake).. Big club for him soon, hopefully us, would make a great partner for Sakho.

Colombia's frontline is so deadly though, imagine adding Falcao to that

[Jemal]

Claps @ samaras

[Calderyon]

That´s the game decider. 2-0 for Colombia. Surprised however that Greece has succeeded being so active in Colombia´s half, creating many dangerous opportunities.

[Drew.]

Game over

[Verbal]

I wish the BBC would stream their live game coverage in HD on the website. Its like watching coverage from 1986.

[Vanessa]

Nothing better than watching the match with a few beers. :flutter:

[Locke.]

Scoreline doesn't reflect the game at all :(

6 points against Japan and Ivory Coast it is then

[MTVN]

Good old Armero

[BBfanUSA]

Anyone going to stay up with me to watch Japan run over Ivory Coast?

[Shaun]

time for the game of the day

[AnnieK]

Dear god...

[Locke.]

Japan XI: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Morishige, Okazaki, Kagawa, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Osako, Yoshida

Ivory Coast XI: Barry, Boka, Zokora, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Bony, Aurier, Toure (c), Serey, Bamba

[Drew.]

Was about to turn the computer off until i remembered there is still 1 game to go.. it's going to take a miracle to stay awake.

Really looking forwards to this game though.. been waiting for ages to watch Aurier.

[Brother Leon]

Ergh. Cbf after the last match, but it's not like in going bed anytime soon. Might aswell watch.

[MTVN]

C'mon you Ivorians, this is what the world cup is all about

[MTVN]

Time for Jemal to get the pot of black coffee going

[Locke.]

Japan have won 5 games in a row and haven't lost since October, that's not going to change tonight I'm afraid

[MTVN]

Well you thought Greece were going to do over Columbia so why would we listen to you eh

[Locke.]

Greece will beat the two of these, mark my words

[GypsyGoth]

Japan will win.

[GypsyGoth]

http://i.imgur.com/DeljkXP.jpg

[MTVN]

Gervinho!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Black Dagger]

I have Yaya, but Japan are one of my teams bc I love Asians, so I'm torn.

A Yaya screamer and a draw will do.

[MTVN]

You know we are into a late night match when ITV can only be bothered having one commentator

[Black Dagger]

He'll do a better job by himself tbh.

[Locke.]

Drag Cannavaro out of bed and get him to the studio, it's not the same without him

[Shaun]

awww, japan don't even try and roll around overacting for a free kick <3

[Drew.]

HONDA!!!!!!

[GypsyGoth]

:worship:

[Locke.]

HONDA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shaun]

of course i would go and replace honda with aguero :inamood:

[MTVN]

Damn Japs

[Drew.]

This World Cup gets better and better

[Drew.]

Slight blip after tonight mind

[Black Dagger]

Just need Yaya to score now, perfect.

[Shaun]

this commentator doesn't mince his words :laugh: #replaceClivepls

[Calderyon]

1-0 Japan. Awesome finish by Honda.

[Drew.]

The commentator is loving this.. hes keeping me awake here

[Raph]

YES!!!! My main man Honda owning again this is going to be a great game I love Japan's style

[Novo]

Honda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mmm!!!!!!!m!!!!!!!!d!s!kdmo djieo!!!!!!!!!!!!f!d!!!!!!!!!

[Shaun]

uchida all over them :love:

[GypsyGoth]

http://i.imgur.com/jCwzxNK.png

[Raph]

uchida all over them :love:

:worship::worship::worship: let's go japan!!!!!

[Drew.]

DIVE!!!!!

[Raph]

Yoshida what a good sport accepting that card

[MTVN]

Think they have just roped the commentator in from the nearest bar, he is having a great time

[Raph]

Commentator sure is a honda fan lol

[Drew.]

I have Yaya, but Japan are one of my teams bc I love Asians, so I'm torn.

A Yaya screamer and a draw will do.

He is worst than Cesc

[Brother Leon]

Ivory Coast is one of the few African countries I like :laugh:

But I gotta back Shinji.

[Black Dagger]

He is worst than Cesc

He's staying put :hmph:

[Novo]

Penalty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raph]

Also mad respect for kawashima one of my favorite goalkeepers of all time

[Locke.]

Who are your other favourite keepers Raph?

[Novo]

Raph what do you think of the land of the rising sun

[MTVN]

Gervinho is starting to terrorise the Japanese defence now, only a matter of time

[Raph]

Who are your other favourite keepers Raph?

Kawashima is up there alongside Casillas and Szczesny, you?

[Calderyon]

Ivory Coast is getting the hang of this game and are controlling dangerously. I see an equalizer coming...

[Raph]

Gervinho is starting to terrorise the Japanese defence now, only a matter of time

The Japanese are always known to have a hardcore defense though, it's always tough for the other team once japan have gotten a goal in

[Novo]

Bocca to Barcelona

[Locke.]

Kawashima is up there alongside Casillas and Szczesny, you?

I was a big fan of Jaaskelainen back in his Bolton days but I think the top two would have to be Shay Given and good old Sander Westerveld

[Raph]

Raph what do you think of the land of the rising sun

I think japan is the ultimate underdog team with a really interesting game style so I like to support them every world cup

[Raph]

Now we just need the half time whistle for the japan boys to re-convene

[Raph]

Kawashima really holding the defense together as per usual

[Raph]

Sweet now pumped for the second half!

[Drew.]

My eyes can't take this any longer.. Bed is calling

[MTVN]

Coffee break

[Novo]

The bocca show

[Raph]

My eyes can't take this any longer.. Bed is calling

I shall snapchat you updates of the game my friend

[Locke.]

Not impressed with Aurier at all.. Expected a lot more from him after Drew banging on about him for the past 3 months

[Drew.]

Very kind of you Raph, minute by minute updates will be needed

[Brother Leon]

ITV is alot better without Chiles.

[Drew.]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqIqwJ1CYAIw609.png

[Raph]

Very kind of you Raph, minute by minute updates will be needed

The internet sucks in my tv room but I shall do my best :)

[Brother Leon]

Get in..

-All of TIBB piles into my Golf-

[Raph]

Is there a reason these posts don't come up on the main page? I only just found these threads today :(

[Raph]

The World Cup >>>>> bb15

[MTVN]

Yeah I can see myself gradually becoming less interested in this BB as I focus on the World Cup, too hard to follow both religiously

These threads are all on the main page I think though Raph :suspect: so long as they're active

[Raph]

Yeah I can see myself gradually becoming less interested in this BB as I focus on the World Cup, too hard to follow both religiously

These threads are all on the main page I think though Raph :suspect: so long as they're active

Yeah I totally skipped out on bb tonight for the Italy-England game. And yeah for some reason none of these show up on the front page for 'latest threads' for me- they do for you?

[GypsyGoth]

I'm gonna call them the Ivory Coast, fifa doesn't scare me.

[Shaun]

GypsyGoth on for Yoshida in the 73rd minute, gonna grab a late header

[Shaun]

i sort-of get the feeling that all of these ivorian players hate each other

[Drew.]

Watching tv in bed for the first time in months is heavenly, terrible angle though so I think a rearrange of my room is in order.

[GypsyGoth]

GypsyGoth on for Yoshida in the 73rd minute, gonna grab a late header

:laugh2:

[MTVN]

Yeah I totally skipped out on bb tonight for the Italy-England game. And yeah for some reason none of these show up on the front page for 'latest threads' for me- they do for you?

Oh yeah you're right actually they dont, maybe thats to get more people focused on BB. If you use the new posts they're all there though

[Shaun]

it's a tibb conspiracy :fist:

[Locke.]

Josy trying to prevent us from snatching more of the BB posters away

[Shaun]

*goes to ask Who_is_She? if they think we should stick to a 4-4-2*

[Raph]

*goes to ask Who_is_She? if they think we should stick to a 4-4-2*

:laugh2:

Shame to see Hasebe off though, hoping he's not going to be too injured for the rest of Japan's games

[Shaun]

oh Endo still plays? that makes four players I've heard of now :flutter:

[Raph]

Josy trying to prevent us from snatching more of the BB posters away

Almost got me too! :bored:

[BBfanUSA]

The Foam the refs are using is brilliant.

[Shaun]

penalty, surely :think:

[Raph]

I was so scared a penalty would happen then

[Shaun]

Bony's having a nightmare.

[Raph]

What is up with these repetitive fake falls

[Calderyon]

That last one should have been a penalty kick IMO.

[Raph]

Kawashima preventing the corner there good man

[Drew.]

Release the Drog

[Shaun]

uh oh :worry: this might be a long half hour

[Shaun]

:joker: already bossing it

[Shaun]

:(

[Raph]

Nooooooooo

[BBfanUSA]

:(

[Calderyon]

Great equalizer there !!! Beautiful header.

[Locke.]

Excellent goal

[Raph]

:( :( the game just woke me up again damn

[Drew.]

That assist from Aurier

[GypsyGoth]

Noo!!

[Calderyon]

2-1 Ivory Coast !!! They´re all over Japan now...

The same man as scorer, i think?

[Raph]

What the actual ****

[BBfanUSA]

Nooooooooo, Dammit

[Drew.]

AURIER!!!!!!!!! The assist master!!!!!!!!!

[Locke.]

Aurier is running riot

[Raph]

Sad sad times

[GypsyGoth]

Bring on Godzilla!!!!

[Brother Leon]

Well deserved.

[Black Dagger]

**** sake. Jinxed them by putting them in my profile.

[Calderyon]

Tbf it was just a matter of time, after the 1-0 goal, the Ivvies have gained control of the game more and more as the time passed leaving Japan in a complete despair at times.

[Shaun]

****ing evil bastards :fist:

Bring on Godzilla!!!!

:joker:

[Shaun]

**** sake. Jinxed them by putting them in my profile.

how do you think i feel

edit: i've changed from england to mexico & the netherlands just because #yolo (also i pretend my cat has a mexican accent because i'm unemployed and lonely)

[Drew.]

Was so tempted to do over 2.5 goals on each of today's games, some money to be made from all this terrible defending.

[MTVN]

Doze off for ten minutes and it is 2-1, bloody hell

[GypsyGoth]

how do you think i feel

edit: i've changed from england to mexico & the netherlands just because #yolo (also i pretend my cat has a mexican accent because i'm unemployed and lonely)

:laugh2:

[Locke.]

This betting losing streak is going to continue, unbelievable.

It would have been broken if it wasn't for that ****ing ref ruling out 2 perfectly fine goals in the Mexico-Cameroon game as well.

[Raph]

Looks like it's bed time then

[Raph]

Gotta say Ivory Coast played a better game tonight hats off to them

[MTVN]

Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire!!!

[Shaun]

:joker: these ridiculous fake injuries

[MTVN]

C'mon ref blow your whistle

[MTVN]

Yes!!!

[Raph]

Goodnight boys!

[Calderyon]

Game over. Ivory Coast win 2-1. Convincing win by them. With that kind of offence, they could win the group over Colombia.

[Novo]

Should be a great game this

[Vanessa]

Some of the fans make up. :joker:

[Locke.]

Need a Colombia win so Greece can beat Japan and then take care of Ivory Coast in their final game

[Novo]

Greece are finished, accept it

[Vanessa]

Come on, Colombia! :dance:

[Locke.]

Greece are finished, accept it

Mitroglou will start tonight and sink Japan, there is nothing to worry about just yet

[Novo]

Is it just me or has that Columbia manager have a bit of Pards about him

[Drew.]

Hes Pards in 20 years

[Novo]

When he is managing Arsenal in league 1

[Drew.]

We will never fall as low as Rangers

[smeagol]

what goes on with this game. they all seem to be falling over every minute for no reason

[Novo]

" he looks like Alan Pardew's elder brother, he's got a real look of him "

[Drew.]

Quintero!!!!!!

[Drew.]

QUINTERO!!!!!

[Locke.]

Need a Colombia win so Greece can beat Japan and then take care of Ivory Coast in their final game

Excellent, it's all lined up for Mitroglou and Fetfatzidis to lead the Greeks through

[Novo]

3-0 20/1

I am going to fall short again

[AnnieK]

I only got 17/1 for 3-0

[AnnieK]

Well that sorts that now...want a draw for the predictions

[Drew.]

I have gone for Ivory Coast with over 2.5 goals, The Drog needs a quick brace.

[Novo]

http://i58.tinypic.com/732idy.jpg

The 25p scorecast is well and truly on

[Novo]

I don't believe it

[Locke.]

Fetfatzidis and Mitroglou brought in instead of Salpingidis and Gekas.

Great line up for Greece but I am well prepared for both of my teams to be knocked out within 2 hours of eachother.

[Vanessa]

Japan national anthem is so beautiful. :flutter:

[King Gizzard]

Mitroglou :joker:

[Locke.]

What a ****ing disaster. Mitroglou assaulted in front of our eyes and taken off injured

[King Gizzard]

479741288020180993

[Locke.]

Oh for god sake

[Locke.]

Karagounis is on to save the day

[Raph]

Quality save by my main man Kawashima, also loving that red card will really help japan out

[Drew.]

Misleading title

[Novo]

Could be a rape this season half once Kagawa gets on

[Locke.]

Japan to win and 1 or 2 total goals in the match - 6/4

Get on it quick

[GypsyGoth]

The ref needs to send off more stupid greek players.

[Locke.]

Take that back

[Novo]

Kagawa has been unleashed

[Locke.]

So close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GypsyGoth]

That greek manager looks like a homeless wino, he should be ashamed of himself.

[Novo]

Greece should be ashamed of the way they play football, playing for a 0-0 draw

[Locke.]

A truly fascinating defensive performance from 10-man Greece, Japan just could not break them down. A joy to behold. Excellent point, the dream is still alive. Ivory Coast don't stand a chance.

[Calderyon]

Game ends in a 0-0 draw. Not a good game, with Japan desperately trying to score a goal and Greece basically just defending and kicking the ball as far away from their goal as possible.

Japan deserved to win.

[MTVN]

Oh wow really gutted I missed this one

[Novo]

Dream is over for Greece then since they won't beat Ivory Coast

[Locke.]

They will beat them quite convincingly

[Ryan57]

Kolo and Yaya's brother, Ibrahim, has died. Not been announced yet if both will be going home.

[Locke.]

The big one today

[Brother Leon]

Hope Ivory Coast qualify. For Yaya and Kolo if anything.

[Calderyon]

Colombia get a penalty kick on the 17th minute. Cuadrado brings it home and it´s 1-0 Colombia. Japan has a mountain to climb.

[Calderyon]

Greece had to change their goalie, probably injury. Karnezis out, Glykos in.

[Brother Leon]

OFF THE BAR!!

Unlucky Greeks.

[Calderyon]

Great counter attack from Greece, resulting in a Samaras shot of the crossbar.

[Calderyon]

Samaras scores!!! 1-0 to Greece just 2 minutes before the end of the 1st half. Now Ivory Coast is in the ropes.

[Brother Leon]

Well...I be damned.

[Shaun]

crazy to think Greece would progress but Italy're out.

[Calderyon]

Okasaki scores for Japan and ties the game. Japan vs Colombia 1-1 after the 1st half.

[Shaun]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Calderyon]

Ivory Coast scores!!! It´s 1-1. 14 minutes to go.

[Drew.]

Oh my god

[Shaun]

yay!

(idk why i care i just don't really like IC)

[Calderyon]

Greece scores on the added time!!! Samaras second. Greece wins and goes through to the last 16.

[Novo]

Lucky bastards

[Calderyon]

Good god, that was some bad defending from the IC defense. What was all that passing on their defensive side? Like they were on a training pitch. Just plain horrible.

[Locke.]

Unbelievable!!! Can't believe they've actually done it

Start molding a statue of Samaras outside of every stadium in the world right away

[Novo]

Piss off

[Locke.]

Celtic hero taking the world cup by storm, what a guy

[Shaun]

who're you backing then david, greece or uruguay? :think:

[Novo]

He supports whoever wins

[Locke.]

Greece of course, I only back Uruguay because of my lovely biting hero Suarez

[Novo]

He didn't even mention Greece before they drew with Japan

[Drew.]

He only supports Greece to impress a girl

[Brother Leon]

Locke taking simping to the extent of choosing football teams...there are no limits to his simping powers.

[Locke.]

**** off, I don't even speak to Greek girl anymore, I support them for my affection of the country

[Shaun]

david's painting those light-blue and white stripes on his face as we speak, leaving the top left corner to whoever wins

[Novo]

Your ****ing shameless

[Drew.]

The Argies are the only team left to properly back now.

Germany or France would be great winners too. Ozil, Poldi & Per or Koscielny & Giroud coming back as WC winners.

[Locke.]

Greece >>>>>>>>>>> Russia

pls confirm andy

[Drew.]

david's painting those light-blue and white stripes on his face as we speak, leaving the top left corner to whoever wins

:joker:

[Locke.]

The Argies are the only team left to properly back now.

Germany or France would be great winners too. Ozil, Poldi & Per or Koscielny & Giroud coming back as WC winners.

Koscielny is ****, Sakho is carrying them. You should be ashamed of that moron giving 2 goals away the other day

[Drew.]

Pls confirmed Sakho conceded more goals than Kos last season

[Drew.]

Or was he stuck on the bench behind Kolo, Brendan has no faith.

[Locke.]

Stuck in the past

[Locke.]

"A liverpool fan saying that!!!"

Who will say it first, Andy or Leon

[Novo]

Speaks volumes that you said it first

[MTVN]

david's painting those light-blue and white stripes on his face as we speak, leaving the top left corner to whoever wins

Good stuff, this joke works well

[Shaun]

The Argies are the only team left to properly back now.

Germany or France would be great winners too. Ozil, Poldi & Per or Koscielny & Giroud coming back as WC winners.

don't you bloody rule out joel campbell

[Locke.]

Will legitimately draw those blue and white stripes on my face for the knockout rounds, this is serious business