634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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  1. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    #IfAlgeria get through we can all load up on five cheapness and save lots of budget ready for later rounds 😀

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    1. Dynamic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *cheapies

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      #IfAlgeria

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    3. PGR
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Only reason I'm supporting them. (Now that the Kombarov clean sheet is gone)

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  2. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mbolhi save 😎 should be on 7 points now

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      leg.end

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    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta equal or better Cillesson's 8! Cillesson>Karneis>Mbolhi a popular move I'd wager.

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I've been increasing: Karnezis (1) --> Haghighi (6) ---> Mbolhi (7 so far)

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        1. Holy See
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Noice.

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  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If you're Germany, who would you rather play, Algeria or Russia?

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Don't think they would mind should be too strong for either

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    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Russia for sure, they are steady, boring and predictable.

      Algeria are mavericks

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Algeria

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    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Both of them have a score to settle

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  4. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    https://twitter.com/RAWK_Meltdown

    liverpool fans' reactions to suarez ban. some gems in there

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That is quality, been loving that all day

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      wow stupid much

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  5. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Best cheap midfielder in Fox for the knockouts?

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    1. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      How many points you currently on mate? your H2H is going to the wire and is gonna be the decider

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  6. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Brahimi off, Yebda on

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      defensive sub,russian goal coming

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  7. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    The cameramen are doing a great job in this Belgium game..

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  8. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If both Korea and Algeria score (win) then Belgium play Germany and USA play Algeria, correct?

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Correct. Won't happen though

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Belgium are a man down and Russia need to win, e.g. opening up, so I wouldn't totally rule it out.

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        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Korea look literally incapable of scoring

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  9. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    People saying they wouldnt want Suarez at their club 😆

    lol

    LOL

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      This

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  10. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Kombarov back upgraded to 8 points 🙂

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  11. aehii
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'm getting excited about sanchez in the premier league now. Please someone say he happens to love cold miserable weather.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He happens to love cold miserable weather.

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      1. aehii
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Is his favourite film cloudy with a chance of meatballs?

        also important

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  12. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Slimani hurt ? 😮 🙁

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No a bit of it

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to say these days unless there is bone ticking out

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  13. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    LFC considering legal action against FIFA for Suarez ban. The depths that club will sink to....

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Like football is a game any more 🙁

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Sadly not!

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        1. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I agree, thus Liverpool just have to protect their business interests. It's pathetic but that's what it's become. Any other club would do the same for their shareholders.

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          1. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I get what you're saying but some things should come before money, like principles, like the reputation of a great club. Should but...like you say...don't.

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            1. 4vets
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I agree, but all big clubs are the same.

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            2. Studgie G
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              sadly that went out in the 90's, also I think it will end up being only 2months or no ban from pool games. Fifa just need to look like they're doing there job because the lawyers will easily find holes in their defence

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    2. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Oh, come on. It's a silly thing to do, but they ain't any worse than other clubs.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No matter what he does, biting, racism, etc they seem to defend him. FIFA are within their rights to ban him from all football, it's in their regulations in black and white. And they run football!

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        1. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Meh... and the club are in their rights to do what they have to do to protect their assets. It's all a bunch of shite. Man U and anyone else would do the same. The game has gone to the dogs.

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          1. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Yep. Not sure what case they have when it's in FIFA rules though, and they've done it before.

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            1. 4vets
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I have no idea of the legalities. It's all just a crying shame and shows just how far down the financial river the game has been sold.

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        2. Studgie G
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          the problem isn't what he does it's what others don't do he's almost taboo like, so other teams don't really have an idea when it comes to this. When it does happen I guarantee you they would be doing the same

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      never known such a cry baby bunch of supporters. Still dreaming of the late 70's early 80's.

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      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yep, that grav says it all. You love supporting racists, so you'd love him at your club.

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  14. Somalion
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Wow Batshuayi to Marseille, only saw that now. Good for him.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      who?

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      1. Somalion
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Belgian forward, should have been brought to the WC.

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        1. Beavis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Lots of potential I've heard, pretty good on FM as well. Good step up for him.

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          1. Somalion
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Very very good step, was slyly hoping for a PL club to sign him.

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  15. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Slimani in trouble

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    1. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He is back 😉

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  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If Kombarov scores I will get 50 quid.

    #IfKombarov

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If Kombarov scores I will get 50 orgasms.

      #IfKombarov

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  17. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Get back on Slimani

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  18. Heels_Over_Head
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    For players on teams in the FFS UEFA WC tourney whose teams don't go on to the knockout phase, I've created a mini-league competition so we can continue to enjoy this game that took weeks to figure out.

    League name: Blotto Winners
    Password: notover

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  19. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Vertonghen goal!

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  20. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    VERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  21. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    goal vert

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    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      the battle to get crushed by the Germans carries on

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      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Germany has its problems

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  22. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Verty wagon revving up

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  23. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ugh Mirallas FGS gone down the drain 😕

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    1. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Victor is laughing. As always.

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  24. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    One more goal from Slimani and I am happy 🙂 🙂

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  25. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    bring on lukaku dagnammit

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      They are saving him for the flight home

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        will they pay the excess baggage charge tho

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          They're hoping that when he meets the stewardesses he mat finally score

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  26. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Germany, Portugal & Belgium 5/1 😀

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  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    10 minutes left

    #IfAlgeria

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    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Algeria is love. Algeria is life.

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  28. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What's all this #if shit about?

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      f##k knows

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I had to google #USMNT earlier as well

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    3. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It's all these youngsters killing the English language with hashtag-yolo-lol-rofl-i'mamoronwhocan'tusehomophones bullcrap.

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    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *#IfAlgeria

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    5. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      is it "In Form" like you get on FIFA Ultimate Team players?

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  29. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Russki goal incoming I fear...

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  30. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    #TeamAlgeria

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      #IfAlgeria

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    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      #IfAlgeria

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