Posted on 06/28/2018 7:29:15 AM PDT by C19fan
You would think that the first priority for both teams in a football match is to win.
But that might not be the case when England take on Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium in the World Cup tonight, as both sides could benefit from defeat.
For the loser will face an arguably easier run, with Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-finals - before Spain, Russia, Croatia or Denmark in the semi-finals.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
My first thought was that it would be more honorable for the first team to do so to forfeit, and then wondered what would happen if BOTH teams don’t show up.
I recall Earl Weaver’s forfeit for the Orioles in 1977 cost them a lot.
Soccer is as boring as a no-hitter baseball game; the only fun time would be if Italy was playing.
Orioles were 3 games out at the end of the season, so the forfeit, albeit a big mistake, didn’t make a difference.
Yeah, it’s got all the makings of a snoozer. I wonder which team will have the guts to win this one.
Tell that the the LA Rams who threw the end of their season so they would face the Eagles in the playoffs without Carson Wentz, figuring easy win. But it didn't work out, they didn't face the Eagles anyway and they got stomped in the first round.
I am never a fan of a theory that losing makes you more likely to win.
1982 Austria-West Germany redux.
C19, thanks for posting this. I have been a player and a fan for a long time. I can’t recall a situation existing where it was so clear cut all the way to the finals. dfwgator mentions Austria v. West Germany in 1982, but without looking, I have no independent memory.
Good article.
Austria v. W Germany was a bit different. It had to do with getting a result so Austria would advance over Algeria.
Perhaps, perhaps not. The pitching rotation would have been different without the forfeit, different team/morale dynamics, etc.
No nothing game since both countries have gone through to the knock out stages. Saying that it does make a difference if England finishes first or second so they know who to play next.
Want England to win, Mexico Argentina to get beat next game
I found Nolan Ryan’s 7th no-hitter fairly entertaining when I watched it on TV.
I was a baseball fan back then.
It might not be boring. With nothing to lose, they might decide to put in their 2nd string defenders
What happens if there is a 0 to 0 tie?
I taking England, 9 own-goals to 7.
I’m no “football” fan, but I’m sure there is already a way to resolve a tie.
It might be fun to see the defense try to prevent the other side from scoring own goals.
The Simpsons - Soccer excitement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjp1Zrvn8VQ
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