Federer91

I like more sports before the Opening Ceremony, because i can watch them, before the clusterfuck starts. I don't like though, that we now have 3 days of swimming and athletics colliding... It was usually only 1 day, where swimming was only an hour with the last few finals. They are even at the same time in both sessions.. Weightlifting in the last 5 days is interesting. Usually the schedule is more free by that time, so it could be for the better, though taekwondo is also bunched then. Wrestling with 2 hour morning sessions and then 4 hour final sessions is a choice. I would have preferred the finals to start 2 hours earlier and not collided with everything in the 20-23 hour period. Team Sports very heavy in the beginning, which is expected with group stages, but i think Tokyo had a more balanced schedule. Will see what happens, the more we get closer to the Games.

Fun groups at first glance, only thing missing is Italy France and England with the luck.

3 womens finals from the expected trio Nikolova, Yusein and Selishka. Don't know what has clicked in Evelina Nikolova, but after the Tokyo bronze, she is a completely new wrestler. Calm, confident, clinical, no wonder UWW has taken notice and had her as the poster woman. Straight wins in Dan Kolov, Yasar Dogu, a final here with ease. They even gave her the nickname "Pinolova", as she won 6 out of her last 7 matches with falls, 2 at the Euros so far, and 4/5 at Yasar Dogu. Still needs to prove it against the Asians and Maroulis though. Too bad the rest, didn't do anything above their usual performance, it was a perfect opportunity with the lack of competition at this Euro.

Nooooooooo Oh man, this is so sad.. Myself, like many others, have scratched their heads on why Bruce was doing all those straight to dvd/video/streaming/Target action films given his pedigree, but in retrospective, it was probably the right decision for him. Nevertheless an ICON of film in the last 40 years.

Can't believe people think this is real. It is desperately scripted for attention and ratings as Hollywood gets. Chris Rock's face wasn't even red after the "slap". He did a classic wrestling move to sell the punch before Smith even "reached" him. And if it was real, Smith would have shouted in his face right there, not walk back to his seat, wait for Rock to say his line and then yell. It is more funny in hindsight, after his crying speech afterwards "I'm all for the love, i'm all for the love". Cumberbatch robbed again. Though he was in a subpar film, his performance was top notch and out if this bunch should have won easily. Guess Smith and his poison wife can feast now, as their crusade, started 5-6 years ago is finally reached and mediocre actor Will got what he wanted. The few bright things, very, very happy for the CODA wins, The Godfather, Bond, Pulp Fiction tributes/reunions, Billie Eilish No Time To Die win, Kevin Costner, Anthony Hopkins presenting aaaand Dune (i guess), though tech categories were so empty this year. The bar for hosts has been lowered so much, that even their stupid jokes and politics were cringer than usual. Long gone are the elegant and cinematic ceremonies of Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, or even Hugh Jackman, when he hosted.

Amazing end to the season as always in Planica. Fantastic Slovenia, from the jumpers to the fans

Belarus played an U21 qualifying match against Cyprus yesterday.

I listed the teams i prefered qualifying If i have to do it with the African playoffs, i prefere DR Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal qualifying. So this probably won't help Algeria much

There is a beauty in this somewhere i guess.

Totally expected this result in the end, after Italy making 70 shots and leading to nothing. When you can't beat Bulgaria in the group stage, guess you don't deserve a WC spot after all.

There was a scandal here, after World Champion and 4 time Euro Champion Bilyana Dudova wasn't selected for the team. For some reason she didn't want to be in her regular 59 kg category and wanted 62, which we know is Taybe Yusein's. So they had wrestle-offs and the coaches chose Yusein. Now, we don't have anyone in 59, Dudova is not going and people are mad, that we won't be using her... Women's Wrestling Miglena Selishka (-50 kg) Irena Binkova (-53 kg) Sezen Belberova (-55 kg) Evelina Nikolova (-57 kg) Taybe Yusein (-62 kg) Sofia Georgieva (-65 kg) Yuliana Yaneva (-72 kg) Maria Oryashkova (-76 kg) Mimi Hristova at 68 is also missing, as she is recovering after surgery. Honestly, with Russia, Belarus out and Ukraine being a mystery, we should win the women's team standings. The men have been an afterthought for years, so won't waste time with them. Men's Freestyle Mikai Naim (-57 kg) Georgi Vangelov (-61 kg) Vladimir Dubov (-65 kg) Ramazan Ramazanov (-70 kg) Ali Pasha Umarpashaev (-74 kg) Miroslav Kirov (-79 kg) Ahmed Magamaev (-86 kg) Ahmed Bataev (-92 kg) Greco-Roman Stefan Grigorov (-55 kg) Edmond Nazaryan (-60 kg) Ivo Iliev (-67 kg) David Dimitrov (-72 kg) Aik Mnatsakanian (-77 kg) Rosian Dermanski (-82 kg) Yoan Dimitrov (-87 kg) Kiril Milov (-97 kg)

One half passed and it's seems old Italia is back. Everyone sleeping in front NM's penalty area, shooting from everywhere and nothing happens. Scoring a single goal is again a struggle.

It's Oscar week, which with each year means less and less with the declining quality in cinema. I will make a push to watch at least some part of the nominated films before the ceremony. So far.. CODA - 9/10 - A rare heartfelt film with true emotion. Simple story, amazing cast and performances, no need for grandeur scenes, bombastic pieces, or the typical awards pretentiousness. Could have watched another 2 hours of it, the people just bring you in, i live their struggles, their dreams, as if i knew them. Must admit i teared up a bit at the final hug. Doubt i'd enjoy a better film than this, so i hope, hope it somehow wins Best Picture. Dune (Part 1....) - 7/10 - One of my most anticipated films for a number of years. Probably expected too much tbh, as with everything Villeneuve. I really wanted to like it, but, but.. Why do Villeneuve movies have to be so monotonous every time. I know it covers only the first half of the book and they need to lay the groundwork for the characters, but for a long movie, the interesting moments were far in between. Still, cinematography, sound, sets etc. were amazing and will sweep the tech awards, but it's not the grand epic it should have been. Licorice Pizza - 6/10 - PTA has had better days. For a comedy i didn't laugh much, was more frustrated, but guess that was the point, showing how young people don't know what they want and do stupid things. Sean Penn and Bradley Cooper being wackjobs stole the show in their limited time. The two leads did an ok job, given it was their first role. I'm more interested to see, what can Alana Haim do in other stuff. As for Philip Seymour Hoffman's son, maybe it would be better, if he finds another career path, don't know, if he can escape the shadow of his father. The Power of the Dog - 5/10 - The modern time set in an old time western. Shocking this is the favourite to win (not)... I enjoy a miserable film more, than the regular person, but couldn't find much to like here. Cumberbatch and Dunst's performances saves it from being a complete waste of time, with some good scenery here and there. The dislike for Netflix gives me a little hope, that this won't actually win, otherwise i may barf..

Crunch time. Let's go Italia, Turkey, Czechia and Austria!

Thread title is misleading, i'm petitioning for a change! The word "bid" has no place in modern Olympics.

Isn't everyone assuming that, though i have been wrong before. My track record isn't that good, when it comes to Eurovision.

Had a look at all the entries, since everything is known. Level playing field, the competition for second place is going to be fierce.

@Henry_Leon News on team Italia, i've heard rumors, that some players may be sick (Covid) ?

Oh please No! GTFO with this, we just had 3 straight East Asian countries and it is always the same 3... If it's going to be Asia i prefer India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, heck even Qatar. 2030 WOG - Spain (+ Andorra, no France!) 2034 WOG - Canada 2036 SOG - Istanbul 2038 WOG - Norway / Switzerland / Germany 2040 SOG - Mexico / Egypt / Morocco / India / Indonesia 2042 WOG - Norway / Switzerland / Germany / Kazakhstan 2044 SOG - Mexico / Argentina / Egypt / Morocco etc.

Long live new Number 1 Iga Swiatek

Doesn't matter, i only want Italy to get there Forgot that there will be 4 matches a day

Finally Spain for WOG, i've been saying it for some time now Though SOG would be equally as good, i wonder who is the dumb IOC's favourite? They are not even hiding it at this point and directly say "don't even bother applying"

Welcome to the club I hope Sakkari can get the win (though i like Swiatek as well). For some reason, she and Tsitsipas are always having problems and lose in the important matches in the SF / Finals. They are playing very good up until the final stages, but then i don't know, if they get in their heads and just lose the plot. Time for Sakkari to make the next step and win a big title.

http://cf.freestreams-live1.com/bein-sports-en3/ There is a slight delay, but the stream is working fine.

What a complete disaster for Red Bull at the end and Hamilton gets to the podium FFS. On the other hand Ferrari looked better than usual, but let's see, if it's going to last more than a few rounds. Also what a return for Magnussen and Haas.