Malenko

I didn't even know McLusky were still active. Jealous.

Tottenham 2-0 Brighton (Sat 12.30pm, BT)Man Utd 1-0 Norwich (Sat 3pm)Southampton 0-3 Arsenal (Sat 3pm)Watford 0-2 Brentford (Sat 3pm)Newcastle 2-3 Leicester (Sun 2.15pm, Sky)

I agree. FHM is much better than it used to be. Obviously it's not OOTP but OOTP has been around for so, so long.

I'd go. I tend to go see my friends in bands regardless but if they're opening for a band I like, that's a no brainer.

I like it. Thanks!

we're still 13 points away but I feel Roman Josi will be the first D-man to reach 100 points in a season since Brian Leetch in 1991. He's on pace to get it a couple games before the end of the season and with his current form he could get it sooner but we'll see. He already broke the franchise record for points in a single season.

I don't know what's the right thread for this. We just started watching GLOW. I'm sure this has been discussed previously in these boards but don't want to risk spoilers. We've only watched a couple episodes. Is it worth it? Is it really bad? Any controversies? Really bad takes on anything? Just to know if we should keep going as we usually only watch one show at a time.

Just because with all this mess some people may not be aware, the number of qualifying spots per continent/confederation is pretty much decided and I only say pretty much because, as always, the confederation that gets to host is worth a qualifier so there's one less spot available through their qualifying groups. We get 16 UEFA; 6 CONMEBOL; 9 CAF; 8 AFC; 6 CONCACAF; 1 OFC Then you have the usual intercontinental playoffs for the final 2 spots. This time around there's a mini tournament and you could even get a second OFC team if they qualified. You won't because it will probably be the seventh CONMEBOL and one from either CAF, AFC, CONCACAF but you could. I think New Zealand will probably be there every tournament for a while like he said. EDIT: part of this was said above already. I take too long to reply apparently.

He means in 2026 and OFC gets a direct spot under the new format.

Yeah, it's 3 new european places and 2 from South America. 11 places will go to AFC, CAF and Concacaf teams. There will be a couple interesting qualifiers for sure.

I wouldn't mind that either. 8, 16, 32, 64. Not exactly rocket science.

The most famous and obvious example. I expect a couple of those when we're back at the same situation in 2026, although maybe not so blatant.

That is true and I thought about it while writing my post but didn't feel like writing too much. No more confusing calculations involving groups other than your own. One thing that I still can't get behind - and this happens in both the 24 and 48 team format - is the fact both teams who play the last group game know the result they need to achieve and if it's a 1-1 to screw the one team who played both already, so be it. This happened in the 80s more than once which - I like to pretend - is the reason why it changed. I doubt we won't see a couple of these in the first 48-team WC.

Cameroon were awfully close in 1990 too. Must be tough to lose a 2-1 lead after two pens, one n extra time. As for the format, I dislike it just like I disliked the 24 team format even though it was the only one I'd seen. There were too many controversial games in the last round. 32 was perfect, and of course, changed. I'll still be entertained by a wider variety of NTs if I'm honest, but it will mean nothing when they're all out after the group stages (maybe second round for whoever the surprise underdog is that year).

Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (Sat 3pm)Watford 0-0 Leeds (Sat 3pm)Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham (Sat 5.30pm, Sky)Leicester 2-1 Crystal Palace (Sun 2pm)Man City 3-1 Liverpool (Sun 4.30pm, Sky)

Is it so old though? The full backs are young and although the CBs aren't, I doubt they'll be using Vertonghen and Alderweireld simultaneously. There will be at most one player over 31 in their defense at all times. I really think Belgium is one of the strongest squads in the world at the moment. Of course sometimes World champions France lose to Senegal but that's not so common, or a predictable outcome. I wouldn't be surprised if what you say happened vs Croatia since they'll probably be fielding 6 or 7 30+ year olds including 3/4 in the back 4, but I just don't see it happening to Belgium.

Way too many people in Spain (and I don't just mean regular fans like you and me) are saying he'll be much better than Nadal ever was. Regardless of how undeniably talented he is and also regardless of your feelings towards Nadal, that is putting waaaay too much pressure on an 18 year old. I don't like it.

Real Madrid beats Celta 2-1 with 3 pens! Celta had a disallowed goal too!

Isn't Kucka an international footballer though?

The swooping curves of the emblem represent the undulations of desert dunes and the unbroken loop depicts both the number eight – a reminder of the eight astonishing stadiums that will host matches – and the infinity symbol, reflecting the interconnected nature of the event. Besides echoing the shape of the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy, the emblem’s central form takes inspiration from a traditional woollen shawl. During winter months, shawls are worn around the world and in the Arab and Gulf region in particular by a variety of people and in various styles.

Brighton 0-0 Norwich (Sat 3pm)Burnley 0-2 Man City (Sat 3pm)Chelsea 1-0 Brentford (Sat 3pm)Man Utd 1-3 Leicester (Sat 5.30pm, Sky)West Ham 0-0 Everton (Sun 2pm, Sky)

It was obvious UEFA wasn't really against the idea of a Super League even when they opposed it. They were just against the idea of someone else running the thing.

I really hate they use the word "inclusive" in a rule change that will make the competition anything but.

My pick so far is Hot Water Music's Feel the Void. I wouldn't even put it in the top half of Hot Water Music's albums, but I haven't listened to a LOT of new stuff yet, so there's that. Stuff I've liked regardless of genre in alphabetical order: Anxious - Little Green House; Avril Lavigne - Love Sux; Bodyjar - New Rituals; Charli XCX - Crash; Comeback Kid - Heavy Steps; Drug Church - Hygiene; Honningbarna - Animorphs; Pinegrove - 11:11; Underoath - Voyeurist; vein.fm - This World Is Going to Ruin You; Wolves at the Gate - Eulogies; Yard Act - Overload; Stuff I expected to like but didn't: Black Country, New Road - Ants from Up There; Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa; Next In Line: Frank Turner; Ho99o9; Superchunk;

About a week ago I saw Skunk Anansie for the first time since 1999. I didn't know any of their new songs since the last time I paid attention was probably back then. I still had a good time anyway.