LDOG

Day 6 2-0 7-1 3-4 1-4

Day 5 0-3 0-3 3-1 2-1

Day 4 0-1 3-3 1-1 3-1 0-2 Pool B is the only one that won't have a straightforward resolution going into the final games... 4 PTS, +2 GD 2 PTS, 0 GD, 3GF 2 PTS, 0 GD, 2GF 1 PT, -2 GD Final matches v v

Day 3 4 - 1 1 - 1 3 - 2 1 - 3 1 - 4

Day 2 2-2 4-1 4-0 5-1 2-0

Yeah FIH have lost their minds over the last few years regarding broadcasting. I still remember 2014... all games streamed on youtube

Day 1 results 4 - 1 Most other teams will debut tomorrow.

At least that's what World Rugby claims though I suspect Cricket World Cup may have a say in that.

While I like the formats you propose, De_Gambassi is unfortunately right. The rugby championship starts in early August and it's the main source of income for AUS/ARG/NZ/SA. Also, players need some vacations. All our players are in Europe now, so if they can't rest in July they don't ever have a holiday. And more important, World Rugby is just like FIFA, they want their World Cup to be the main event. Commercially it's the 2nd most succesful world championship event after the football one.

This starts today with v as inaugural game. Format is the same as the water polo WCh: 1st in pool straight to QF, 2nd and 3rd play crossover, 4th eliminated. My overall predictions for the competition... Pool A (Amsterdam-NED) Netherlands: has an interim coach and IMO won't be as dominant as they have been for the last 6 years. Still, they will top this group and are the main favorite for the title. Germany: will be second, terrible h2h vs the dutch in recent times but too good for the other two teams. Ireland and Chile will go face to face for a place in the knockout rounds. They are basically the same level in my opinion, but Ireland has maybe more tournament experience. My prediction: 1 2 3 4 Pool B (Amsterdam-NED) The most difficult to predict pool, I can see any combination as possible for the final standings. England: the top ranked in the pool but also the most beatable top seed by a margin. They have been terrible in pro league this year (7th place). Overall just lacks quality in some positions but usually rises their level for major competitions (OG mostly, due to adding depth with welsh players). Don't see them going further than QFs here but could still top this pool. India: a team that keeps improving every year, extremely solid display in pro league (only team that got a point from our team other than the dutch). However, they still show some inconsistencies from time to time, losing when they are expected to win but also winning when they are expected to lose. Can be the dark horse or totally crash from the beginning. New Zealand: A big question mark. They have only played friendlies vs Australia since Tokyo and nothing else. Their best player (one of the best in world) Michelsen retired after the games and that will undoubtely be a huge loss. I pick them to finish 4th in the pool but wouldn't be crazy if they actually do better than I expect them to. China: now coached by Alysson Annan (NED coach in the previous two olympics) have shown some improvements already in the recent pro league with surprising wins but also dropped quite a few games with big scores. A typical inconsistent asian team based on defense and strong corner routines. Don't see them going further than R16 crossovers. My prediction: 1 2 3 4 Pool C (Terrassa-ESP) Two pools in one, one for 1st place, the other for 3rd place. Argentina: won the recent pro league without losing any game (two away draws vs NED included). Team's looking the most solid they have looked in the past 10 years but still has a few weak points like the corner defense. A negative point: in case they top the pool they are expected to meet the dutch in semifinal, not in the final. Spain: home team and big candidate to be "dark horse" of the competition even though they always are lacking some edge in attack. I expect them to be 2nd in the pool but wouldn't be crazy if they top it. South Korea: no chance to beat ARG or ESP but I expect them to be 3rd. Canada: returning to the competition after decades, not much to expect from them but beating Korea and advancing to knockout rounds isn't an impossible task either. My prediction: 1 2 3 4 Pool D (Terrassa-ESP) Pretty straightforward pool. Australia: like NZL, haven't really done anything since Tokyo. Usually starts tournaments in a high note and disappoints later. I expect them to top this pool. Belgium: Another team with lots of potential that usually disappoints in major competitions. Could beat Australia, top the pool and go on to make a fantastic run but even if they don't I expect them to at least reach QFs. Japan: will finish 3rd in this pool almost certainly. South Africa: will finish last. Weakest team in the competition IMO. My prediction: 1 2 3 4

Just remove Breaking and 3x3 Basketball. No new sport to add for me.

Bring back the duos in slalom canoeing and the double trap. Also feel like trampoline gymnastics deserve a larger presence even if I would prefer adding acrobatics.

DR has never qualified for any world event in football. And not even for the gold cup either. Now they are qualified for U20 WC and kind of favorite for an olympic quota. Crazy.

Talking about Indonesia and Israel... Imagine if Iran or some north african teams also qualify.

Gabon has virtually no historical link to the UK unless I'm mistaken. Why would they join the commonwealth? Or is anyone accepted?

Topping pool B is easier than beating Argentina, Australia or even Spain.

There is a whole world championship to be played soon, doubt that single game will matter too much for the ranking.

Because the men's games sell more tickets even despite that.

2 direct quotas for Africa and South America in women's football is absurd but FIFA shits on IOC and UEFA every day of the year so it's not surprising. They have an interest in boycotting this. The men's distribution also bad but who cares about that competition... nobody but the french want to see Mbappe tearing apart "C" U23 teams.

Uruguay is so clear in that group, they are playing great. Currently on a 6W, 1D, 0L streak under their new coach. And they played the reserves in their only draw.

Never let your goalie do that coin toss, they all have too huge an ego...

Please, don't tag me anymore for any announcement.

Nothing against Ukraine themselves but the good part of them not going is that we'll be saved from lots of fake "moving" political statements about the war from people/players of other highly hypocritical participating countries.

Does she stream on twitch on semi regular basis tho? Because that's the kind of stuff this girl was doing other than befriending garbage popular musicians and streaming celebrities.

She hasn't been a serious athlete for like 3 years already IMO, the pandemic excuse was a bit of a deflection. More interested in a career as "influencer" and all that. Well, at least she'll be making much more money in that, that's for sure.