Dobbo

More annoying that we didn't get the win v Ghana which would have guaranteed top spot and we then could have fielded all our reserves in the Panama match with no risk.

This was inevitable once we won the first game, it's tradition to then draw the second so no need to panic. If we don't beat Panama though then they may as well pack their bags. All the Southgate defenders must have loved that one.

Congrats Jim, a fine choice indeed!

Yet only 9 in total, he's really spread them out!

They've been massively disappointing for the 'champions' of Africa.

Amazing news, first ever F1 driver from the Balkans! Bit harsh on Lawson though who's improved massively so far this season but that's Red Bull for ya.

Salenko of course scoring all 5 of those in a single match which remains a record.

Canada 1v2 Switzerland Bosnia and Herzegovina 2v0 Qatar Scotland 0v3 Brazil Morocco 3v1 Haiti Czech Republic 1v2 Mexico South Africa 1v1 South Korea Ecuador 0v4 Germany Curacao 0v2 Ivory Coast Tunisia 0v3 Netherlands Japan 1v2 Sweden Turkey 1v3 USA Paraguay 2v1 Australia Norway 1v3 France Senegal 2v0 Iraq Uruguay 1v2 Spain Cape Verde 0v1 Saudi Arabia New Zealand 0v4 Belgium Egypt 2v1 Iran Panama 0v3 England Croatia 2v1 Ghana Colombia 1v2 Portugal DR Congo 1v1 Uzbekistan Jordan 0v4 Argentina Algeria 2v0 Austria

T-Pain called and wants his song back.

Another one for his radar, beating Just Fontaine's record of 13 goals in a tournament. Still standing since 1958.

But he makes up for it by becoming the outright all time WC top scorer. He is inevitable.

Well if there's one blot on Messi's record book it's definitely his penalty conversion rate.

And I reiterate my exact comment from one year ago 😅 And and thank you Mack for running once again. I'll take 2nd here!

We're up to Day 11 now Mack! (with Day 12 being today) Viper still streaking away but an almighty battle going on behind.

No I think it's then done on goal difference, then goals scored then eventually fair play etc. but could be wrong.

Ah forgot to check my votes Group-wise. 10 out 12 covered with one of those getting a full house of inclusions.

Linkin Park, not one of my faves of theirs

BJSC 128 Host Countries: République d’Áskorza & Terra Avium Overview The time had come for our grand 50th anniversary contest. Of course this meant a relaxation of the standard veto framework, with the caveat of any eligible participants being encouraged to enter an act that best reflects their nation. That being said, there was only ever one candidate from our perspective and it almost certainly wouldn't have bothered said framework even in a 'standard' contest. I recall being stuck in a 2-week quarantine at this time having just returned from abroad but was therefore able to throw myself more into the contest than was typical, even going so far as to get the Head of State and frontman of our entry Rob Swire to present the results of the Dobagan jury. After winning last contest, Bhangra elected not to host 128 and in fact the duties were unusually awarded as low down as last month's 14th-placer Terra Avium, assisted by République d’Áskorza for the semis. The contest unfortunately got off to a disappointing start with our clear highlight 'Pistolwhip' failing to progress but nonetheless this was overall a very fun one with which to be involved. FARC would prevail for a fourth time, coming home a decent margin ahead of a super tense scrap for second. Dobago's Entry Result: 28th My favourite song of all time, truly fitting for such an occasion. Pendulum were one of the bands from my teenage years, where my music preferences were properly being to take shape, from which I remember liking enough to buy albums, along with Green Day, Scooter and The Prodigy. Their distinct take on drum and bass, jungle and later, industrial rock always impressed me to such a high degree that their albums and early EPs soundtracked many adolescent memories. In Silico is what is consider their most complete album, without a single dud and the absolute sweet spot of their craft. Amusingly, 'The Tempest' was not a favourite initially as I found it a bit too much of a departure from their usual high-energy, heart thumping output which was more of my taste back then, yet like a fine wine, it matured to such an extent over the following years that it has remained my all time favourite song since at least as far back as 2012. I could write paragraphs and paragraphs about why I love this track so much but to try and stay more in tangent with the project I will merely highlight its BJSC performance. Of course we were overjoyed when it qualified, as a DNQ would have left quite the sour taste indeed but it then went on to finish a very respectable 28th in the final which became our third best result of the year. More than that however it was the perfect opportunity to introduce potentially 50+ other individuals to my favourite band's magnum opus and an all time classic of electronic rock. Winning Entry Country: FARC Tei Shi had previously been entered once to BJSC some near 6 years ago so this was my first exposure to the singer. And happily, it was a very positive one. This is a relatively standard indie-pop track with an eye-catching title but just works so brilliantly as a full package. The hook in this song is absolute top tier and takes the track to a completely other level compared with many others of the genre but overall there's very little in general I can criticise. I like how the verses are so subdued as to even further elevate that infectious chorus and the middle 8 section where Tei Shi lets her vocal abilities shine. Much like a previous FARC winner in 'Save It' this is exactly the ballpark in which I like my pop and I could recall the majority of the song all these years later just one from glance at the title. It was just the third winner of 2020 we had rewarded but with a solid 10 points as it ran out winning reasonably comfortably ahead of a scarcely believable close battle for second split by a solitary vote. A particularly pleasing result for us as this was only song in the entire top 11 which we pointed! Lookylion who came third became the first country in almost 10 years to debut with a medal position. 18-Pointer Country: Terra Avium (result: 29th) Amnesia Scanner were another act who had been sent once before but here with an entry I very much recall, if not being a top fave from the contest in question. This one however went right to the top of the tree once 'Pistolwhip's elimination had been confirmed. This is one of those entries that just hits a vibe in a specific way that is difficult to explain but totally wins me over. I particularly enjoy the general foreboding mood of the track with the repetitive downward guitar riff playing as a backdrop to the eerie, otherworldly humming parts. Then you have the bits which sound like if Die Antwoord sang in Spanish which was always going to go down well over here. It's weird, it's wacky but it's wholly wonderful and it was an added bonus to be able to award the hosts themselves our gold medal, their second from us of the year. They ultimately finished just below ourselves in the final standings. Our silver was given to another oddity at least on paper, a synthwave banger featuring Arnie quotes in the aptly titled 'Schwarzenegger', with bronze going to the gorgeous and airy electrohouse number 'Sister'. Truth be told, these 3 could retrospectively be placed in any order (as indeed they were in the semi where their positions were reversed) as I enjoy them roughly the same but if pushed, I would in all likelihood stick with 'AS Tearless' simply for being the one I have replayed the most in the years since.

David Cameron I think?

The Game is over.

Well he lasted 48 days longer than Truss and Sunak combined but otherwise it's the shortest PM stint since Eden so will his tenure not be looked back on fondly at all. Although touching on the above comments I think it'll become harder and harder for future PMs to ever achieve long runs at the top, basically like football managers. But this is still much preferable than the US where Presidents can do whatever they like and never ever face calls to resign.

That is brilliant, but the most impressive stat will be the 4 separate visits to #1 in a single chart run. Long may it make a mockery of the ACR rules

Really hope Cape Verde don't do a NZ 2010 and draw all 3 games then still get eliminated, Only chance that happens is if Uruguay beat Spain and they end up as one of the 4th worst 3rd-placed teams which seems exceedingly unlikely. Of course they could still lose to Saudi as well. Perhaps we all shouldn't be too shocked by their heroics, I distinctly remember when they beat Portugal 2-0 in a 2015 friendly which was one of the all time great international shocks. Meanwhile the Yamal glaze is ridiculous. One tap in and everyone's gushing... (not directed to this thread I hasten to add, just all the mainstream pundits and social media reaction etc.)

Beat It finally above Billie Jean +5 Michael Jackson - Beat It +4 Tame Impala - Dracula +3 Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun +2 Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead +1 Olivia Rodrigo - stupid song -1 Taylor Swift - I Knew It, I Knew You -2 Sam Fender & Olivia Dean - Rein Me In -3 Michael Jackson - Billie Jean -4 Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me -5 Olivia Rodrigo - the cure