Maximus Decimus

I heard Loreen's new effort for Sweden and it sounds exactly like a Eurovision winning song.

I wouldn't buy it in a million years. I am vaguely interested though.

Sadly it is the biggest fight of the year, at least until we see Davis-Garcia or dare I say Fury-Usyk. The boxing community is divided about whether it is good for the sport. Personally, it doesn't feel good regardless of how many will watch or be interested. Once boxing has been turned into a total sideshow it won't be able to suddenly gain credibility again.

I'm not sure how related the series is to the book. I think it was a classic example of a book being too much for the film to do it properly. They basically focused on the sporting drama side of it, when in reality the book was about something different entirely.

Just watched the Friday Night Lights film. As usual it didn't translate very well and they hollywoodised it.

It's such an eye-opener. While it's in some ways impressive that high-school football is so prestigious, it's also quite horrifying how it is in place of education.

Tbf 5 years is somewhat incredible, especially in an ultra-competitive sport like American Football. There are many sports where if you haven't played from a child you can never quite catch up. I've just finished reading Friday Night Lights and it was a real eye-opener to the sporting landscape in the US. Whilst converting American Football dropouts to RL would be difficult, the likely difference in quality and quantity of athlete would mean that it would likely be fruitful. However, it's all pie in the sky anyway. They're far too insular and RL isn't attractive enough to sway any of them in sufficient numbers.

Well it's been smashed today, a Scandinavian player averaged 33 without ever getting to a double. That is just terrible luck! Just to make it clear so I don't sound patronising, if I easy had £500 to spare and no work commitments I would absolutely go to Q school on the off chance of playing a top player (Barnie was there last year). Accounting for nerves and embarrassment, I've always figured I'd probably be a disaster but I'm confident I could get more than 33! I'd just throw with my eyes shut.

Q school started today, although nothing is decided just yet. This is the bit where literally anyone can enter, and I always love looking at those people who've paid £500 but are absolutely terrible. There was a guy in the UK today who average 45 without ever throwing at a double. For context, a blindfolded person could expect to get over 38. There was a worse average in Europe (39.1) with a winning average of only 44 or so, but these two were stuck on double 1 in a number of the legs.

No, it's purely based on following Widnes RLFC. It's roughly 3 years to 1 year. They were World Club champions during my first game, and things have been slightly more turbulent since.

I'm 103 in Widnes years.

Played the game of his life. Fair play to him, this can never be taken away now. He's done it, absolutely made up.

Unbelievable Jeff! Nice for Mardle to do an 'I can't spayk!'

Yeh I think it's key for him to start well. MVG looked so comfortable last night, it was almost like he couldn't miss at times. That 128 average set was just something else.

There are a number of words which are basically a result of a misunderstanding of the spoken language. The main example I'm thinking of is 'a notch on the bedpost' which was actually 'an otch.' There are a couple of others which my memory cannot hold.

Smith started like a house on fire here.

My thought about Dimi is usually about how long he can keep the dance going for. It's one of those things he can't just stop but then does he do it when he's 50, does he trial a new dance at some point?

Tbf Smith does the same, but he's the local lad so I let it go!

I'm going the opposite to a point. I think MVG is unstoppable in this tournament, I predict he wins the final by multiple sets. Not only has he eased through this tournament, he has the highest average of any player this year by some way. He also has an amazing record against Dimi; I used to like him but he's become a bit full of himself especially after his Anthony Joshua moment yesterday. I was really impressed by Clemens last night, and not so impressed by Smith. Smith's game is built on how easy he can hit the 180s, but it just isn't happening this tournament so far. Clemens on the other hand, wasn't overawed by the occasion or put off by the shenanigans. They had record viewing-figures in Germany yesterday but he played his best game rather than bottling it, that is certainly a good quality to have. He also kept it up across the game; the one question mark was where he was having a bit of double trouble at crucial points. Smith would be able to punish him whereas Price wasn't able. I predict for tonight we'll see MVG win 6-2 and Smith 6-4.

He should change it to Niceman and try and win everybody back on side

As someone who loves stats, I don't see how it didn't drag his average down from 97! His first 9 average must have been awesome. His first 9 was over 109 compared to only 100 for Smith.

I have some sympathy for Price but he handles it so badly. I didn't think the crowd responded to him that badly tbh, but he just encourages them by the way he acts. His over-cheering doesn't go down well, and everytime he has a go at the crowd he just fuels it next time. He's suggested he might not play next year but the heat of the moment and all that.

Couple of nervy quarter-finals today. Averages are a good indicator but that's all they are. A few things can affect your average, one of which being your opponent. If you're playing somebody who is hot on doubles, your average will be higher because you aren't spending much time missing doubles. If I played MVG, my average might be 55 without having a shot at a double, if I played a total novice my average might be 35 because I'm having to win every leg for it to end. That said, I'm struggling to get my head around how Michael Smith just won 5-3 with an average 6 points lower than Bunting.

Haha I've not long took out my world cup winnings, so lost the appetite for betting. The manner of how Barnie beat him recently (coming back from miles behind) had the air of fortune about it, that I doubted would strike again. Been some really good games the past couple of days. The standouts that I've seen being the unexpected MVG-Sujlovic game (with the incredible 161), Clemens-Williams and now Ross Smith vs Van Duijvenbode.

Well the Aspinall-Rock game lived up to the hype! Feel for the Asp, his shocking doubles cost him dear.