Denmark goalie was fabulous, which is critical to go deep in the World Cup. I expect Denmark to settle in nicely

Yes,it was a beatiful goal ,but I think it speaks volumen abut the team that they were not able to profit from it,and let Australia got away with a well deserved draw.I still see a Danish team that doesn´t live up to their best.

Rigth now France is leading 1-0 half time and if they win we have good chance for advancing from the group.

I see what you mean,but we have had several friendlies(with good results to boot),so that shouldn´t be the problem.My best guess is that they perhaps feel the hopes and/or expectations from the public as a burden.

Right now it seems as they have peaked and it occurs as a small(but welcomed;) miracle that we by now have 4 points.

We certainly need a break and it is a plesant situation now,as we dont have to beat France.

And I agree we haven´t shown our best.
Perhaps football is like chess in the world of Bogoljubow:"Sometimes it works,sometimes it does not". At least this is the brief "explanation" ;)

I hope nothing has been "lost in the translation" regarding my comments about the Denmark team so far

Denmark may have not looked so great all the time, granted, but they've proven the better team....so far

Yes, I agree with <morfishine>. In the end, results are what matter. And Denmark seems to get the results they need even when they're not playing particularly well. That is a good ability to have. And their defense is very strong (Schmeichel, for instance, has been one of the best goalkeepers in the World Cup so far).

Can they beat Croatia? Absolutely.

If Eriksen can provide some more magic, like his brilliant goal against Australia, they can do it. Croatia are favorites, no doubt about it, but the game is relatively open, I'd say. Anything can happen.

You were right we had a better chance vs Croatia than I thought.They played as the better team and came so close…):

:)

But it's only a game. While chess isn't ;) Or is it? Well, not of this kind, where chance takes a much bigger part. Not that a trainer or spectator are spared of the heart jumping moments.

Anyway, I've missed the second half of Spain-Russia and the first half of Denmark-Croatia yesterday due to...Aida, at the local opera. Looking forward for today's pairs.

so, what do we have on this cloudy Sunday morning? Russia is out, well, I guess it was to be expected somehow...But just between you and me, if someone would have told me before the tournament, that Belgium and Croatia will play in the semifinals, I would have reacted something like: what? what about all the other favourites, where/when have they gone?...:)

I mean, come on, no Brazil? And where's Germany? What about Spain, Argentina, not to mention Italy - oh, strike the latter, they were left home anyway. Nevertheless, I would say an interesting tournament. Quite some hard fought, and spectacular at times, games. Well, some were less so, but I can live with that. I mean, I liked it. It was fun. And still is.

And now, what do you think of a France-England final? Well, by now I think most of the spectators are looking forward to it. Ok then, here's the deal: I bet two pounds on both England and France NOT being in the final match. What do you think, take the bet? ;)

OK now, let's be realistic. One or even both of the aforementioned will play the final. And the final score? Hm, of course, France will prevail. Not that I'd particulary like it, but they have the better team. They played convincingly in most, if not all of the games so far.

Oh, and Halep is out, too. Well, I guess one can't have them all, can she? It's to be postponed until Sept., in Australia :)

So you think that England and France not being in the final !? Hmm,interesting and I may take the bet as I have 50 pounds on Belgium to win the whole thing,but also some money on England and Belgium combined.But your bet may be as good as mine and it is indeed striking that all(except from France) the big nations are out.I still chew on what morale,if any, there is in that….

Halep and Wozniacki are out.They are still following each other ;) Like JWH and me yesterday when we had one of our brilliant sessions and also came to talk with 2 women from Romania(!).A nice talk and they revealed some of their problems buy learning Danish which is notorius know for being a difficult langauge to adopt.But they seemed to be very motivated and perhaps quickly to learn.

Lot of sunshine and then some more sunshine.A scenery which has been going on for 7? weeks.And we are certainly smoe who are longing for rain.Rain.

Things are quite her.The rythm of summer has set in.And soon Hannahs vacation will start.Which she is dearly looking forward to and need it,though she likes her working place very much.

And I have also enjoyed the World Cup with a fine coverage from Danish televison.Very sober and informing and relaxed.

<.But just between you and me, if someone would have told me before the tournament, that Belgium and Croatia will play in the semifinals, I would have reacted something like: what? what about all the other favourites, where/when have they gone?...:)>

Yeah,this is kind of crazy.One could almost have been institutionalized for claiming such a thing,and yet it is the bare thruth ! And first of all very charming IMHO.

<<>Dortmund Sparkassen 2018<>>

Less than 3 days to go!

Countdown to Dortmund 2018:

https://www.timeanddate.com/countdo...

♘Sparkassen♘Dortmund 2018♗Sparkassen♗

https://www.sparkassen-chess-meetin...

This tournament will run from July 14th thru July 22nd 2018. (7 Rounds)

Participants include: Kramnik, Giri, Nepomniachtchi, Duda, Wojtaszek, Nisipeanu, Kovalev & Meier

Average rating: 2720 (as of 7/9/18) - Category XIX

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*****

<<>Dortmund Sparkassen 2018<>>

Schedule - https://www.sparkassen-chess-meetin...

Round 1 is Saturday July 14th & it starts @ 15:00hrs.(3pm) Dortmund, Germany time(9am chessgames time). All rounds begin @ 15:00 hrs. except the final 7th round which begins 2hrs earlier 13:00 hrs.(1pm)

< 3 Prediction Contests: (Win virtual medals - Gold, Silver & Bronze) >

User: lostemperor (FINAL STANDINGS PREDICTIONS) - Predict the order the players will finish. Run & hosted by <lostemperor>. (3 categories to medal in)

User: Golden Executive - (The Game Prediction Contest) - Predict the result 1-0, 1/2, or 0-1. Run & hosted by <Golden Executive>. (3 categories to medal in) This year will be the 11th Anniversary for this contest! (from 2007 to 2018 - 11 years running)

User: OhioChessFan (Moves Prediction Contest) - Predict the result 1-0, 1/2, or 0-1 & the number of moves. (4 categories to medal in). This contest is run by <chessmoron> & hosted by <OhioChessFan>.

<***All of these prediction games may not be active for this tournament***>

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*****

Also, don't forget about <chessgames> ChessBookie game for this event. She(He) can't wait to take some or all of your chessbucks. ;)

ChessBookie Game

Don't miss out on the fun for this Super Event!!!

...but one must resist the temptations of the <LoanShark> and greed in general. Pick your spots and plan accordingly

I am still in World Cup "depression" lamenting my favorite teams coming up short while also realizing the greatest 1-month in World Sport has again come to an end and we, mere mortals, must return to our daily toils and attend to our responsibilities as husbands, fathers and grandfathers. Its not easy, but we must!

I won't obsess too much on the Denmark football team other than to say I sure thought this squad would've gone deeper in the tournament :(

Thanks again sir,

best always morf

Yes the bookiegame is a lot of fun.I also play for real money and that is about the same fun but sometimes a "bit" more tense.And yes the dear loanshark.It is almost a science in it self,when to use him.A question with no simple answer,but sometimes he is our best friend :)

It is ok with our team as in the end of the day it is only football.But if I were 20-30 years younger it would have felt different:)

Take care & all the best

Hmmm,first I saw your post and thought : yeah I hit a bonanza today(was in town with a good friend and not following the games)and then discard-discard-discard...……. and then Giri-Meier-draw-draw 100:1 which I thought was covered..(they were actually my keyplayers,so a big miss)hence a big rollercoster today.

I sincerely hope you will hit big,but dont recall if you have qualified for the final !?

Warm here all these days and it suits me very well. The world cup went to France, which is cool. And what a rain at the final ceremony! Croatia is to be applauded as the runner up.

Followed a bit Dortmund (where Nisi finished last) and now I'm about to open Biel. What a game yesterday by Magnus!

At the moment using two sprays to alleviate the synus headaches and it does have some effect. Two doctors contradict themselves, one tells me I have to throw away two teeth, the other one says I shouldn't, as they are OK and not the cause for synus problem & headache. Nest step would be to make a confrontation between them.

For the rest it should be fine. How about you?