O n May 11 2020, the crypto world experienced the phenomena knows as Bitcoin halving . For those who are still a little looney-toons regarding this phenomena, here's the lowdown . Moral of the story is that, as the Bitcoin supply decreased and it's 21 million market cap slowly approached, it was widely accepted that the low supply and high demand will increase the price of the cryptocurrency back to its previous highs. Basic business right? Wrong! Source: Equity Trust Company BTC prices actually fell and after briefly holding steady, are only just rising above the 10000 USD range. Surprise eh? Well, we are not done yet. Because while the most valuable crypto coin wasn't showing it's expected gains, some other cryptocurrencies shot to outer space. There was no SpaceX rocket nor a Tesla Roadster involved. These "altcoins" bumped up in their market value thanks to the entire underlying system of cryptocurrency: investor speculation. But what exactly are these ...
Could you have imagined several weeks ago that Lovren, Dejan Lovren, of all people having a World Cup winner's medal in his scarce trophy cabinet, over the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar? Funny isn't it? I would have put more money on that Liverpool player Bellydancing than reaching the finals. And that's why this France vs Croatia match up, almost as believable as VAR actually being good, is one way to end one hell of a world cup.
Favourites falling, giant-killing, beer draining, the World Cup has seen it all. But this the first time that Germany, Argentina, or Brazil have never reached the semifinals, their replacements being Croatia, Belgium, and England (of all teams). France already had the favourites status, and they once again go into a match as obscenely heavy favourites.Again.Remember Euro 2016? Yeah, that.
This time they have Kylian, and players who are now much better experienced having played and lost one final. For Croatia, this is the first time this little country of around 4 million people has reached a major Finals. And to be honest they probably have the most terrifying midfield in Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, as well as several other names with an -ic added to the end. France might have devastating forwards, as well as good midfield but unlike Croatia, they have struggled to thrill as much under the tutelage of 'Please-defend-first' Deschamps. The Denmark game is the only world cup match with zero goals, and against Belgium, Thibaut's analogy of 'all 11 french players defending 40 m away of from goal' wasn't too far of from the target. I can bet it was 39. Against the chocolate boys of Belgium' France only had 30 something per cent of possession. Even Russia could have
bettered that.
Which is ironically why this match-up could be really thrilling. Croatia knows that when they push for goals their attack is great, as can be evidenced from 3-0 Argentina and 2-1 'It-was-supposed-to-come-home' England. If Croatia gets a quick and early goal against the French, Deschamps will have to open up the taps and Boom. Mbappe will be teleporting everywhere. Mandzukic will be bullying Kante of the ball. Pogba and Modric will both be looking for the defence-splitting passes. Hugo and Daniel will both be primed and ready making world-class saves after another.
So who will bloody win?
Most people would say France. They are the favourites and rightly so. Croatia was expected to make at least the quarters. Semi's would have been a high point. A final is not what the Slavs were expecting. So they have something to prove. Back when they last bowed out of the semis, their home media portrayed the players as heroes, but most of the players themselves agreed that they missed an opportunity. Croatian squad will want to grasp this match with their hands, feet, teeth. Anything which will help them put Croatia on the map. After all, they have never won a World Cup before. And the team they bowed out to the semis in 1998 was none other than France. Something to prove indeed.
But France have that desire as well. 2 years ago they beat Germany on their way to the finals on their own ground. But somehow contrived to lose against a lucky Portugal, a team which only made the last 16 because of the Euro rule where some good 3rd place teams qualify. They would definitely not want to lose it this time.
In the end, it all comes down to how which team shows more of that feral hunger to get that coveted trophy. While in the end it might be a stalemate and go to penalties, both keepers are sure to make it a nail-biting finish. This is one world cup where if you bet you might as well be ready to lose it. And all FIFA is wondering about is to make broadcasters not pan away to 'hot women'. Seriously?
Favourites falling, giant-killing, beer draining, the World Cup has seen it all. But this the first time that Germany, Argentina, or Brazil have never reached the semifinals, their replacements being Croatia, Belgium, and England (of all teams). France already had the favourites status, and they once again go into a match as obscenely heavy favourites.Again.Remember Euro 2016? Yeah, that.
This time they have Kylian, and players who are now much better experienced having played and lost one final. For Croatia, this is the first time this little country of around 4 million people has reached a major Finals. And to be honest they probably have the most terrifying midfield in Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, as well as several other names with an -ic added to the end. France might have devastating forwards, as well as good midfield but unlike Croatia, they have struggled to thrill as much under the tutelage of 'Please-defend-first' Deschamps. The Denmark game is the only world cup match with zero goals, and against Belgium, Thibaut's analogy of 'all 11 french players defending 40 m away of from goal' wasn't too far of from the target. I can bet it was 39. Against the chocolate boys of Belgium' France only had 30 something per cent of possession. Even Russia could have
bettered that.
Which is ironically why this match-up could be really thrilling. Croatia knows that when they push for goals their attack is great, as can be evidenced from 3-0 Argentina and 2-1 'It-was-supposed-to-come-home' England. If Croatia gets a quick and early goal against the French, Deschamps will have to open up the taps and Boom. Mbappe will be teleporting everywhere. Mandzukic will be bullying Kante of the ball. Pogba and Modric will both be looking for the defence-splitting passes. Hugo and Daniel will both be primed and ready making world-class saves after another.
So who will bloody win?
Most people would say France. They are the favourites and rightly so. Croatia was expected to make at least the quarters. Semi's would have been a high point. A final is not what the Slavs were expecting. So they have something to prove. Back when they last bowed out of the semis, their home media portrayed the players as heroes, but most of the players themselves agreed that they missed an opportunity. Croatian squad will want to grasp this match with their hands, feet, teeth. Anything which will help them put Croatia on the map. After all, they have never won a World Cup before. And the team they bowed out to the semis in 1998 was none other than France. Something to prove indeed.
But France have that desire as well. 2 years ago they beat Germany on their way to the finals on their own ground. But somehow contrived to lose against a lucky Portugal, a team which only made the last 16 because of the Euro rule where some good 3rd place teams qualify. They would definitely not want to lose it this time.
In the end, it all comes down to how which team shows more of that feral hunger to get that coveted trophy. While in the end it might be a stalemate and go to penalties, both keepers are sure to make it a nail-biting finish. This is one world cup where if you bet you might as well be ready to lose it. And all FIFA is wondering about is to make broadcasters not pan away to 'hot women'. Seriously?
Comments
Post a Comment