In this World Cup 2018 podcast, we discuss how our predictions went for the matches and before looking forward to the big one – the final this Sunday! There is also a short World Cup language section. For this podcast, there is a transcript for this report, which is great for learners and teachers of English, which can be accessed by becoming a patron (through Patreon). If you have questions or comments, drop us a line us at: admin@languagecaster.com.   Patreon – Support Learning English Through Football Transcript of the show (14th July 2018: Damon=DB) Learn English through Football Podcast: 2018 World Cup – Semi Finals Review DB: You are listening to languagecaster.com’s football-language podcast. Hi there everyone. Thanks for coming along to this World Cup podcast, great for all those who love football and are interested in improving their English language skills. My name’s Damon, and I’m based in Tokyo, which is scorching hot at the moment! Actually, I’m sitting on the balcony, so you may hear little bit of noise from around the town. It’s been strange not having any football for the last few days too after a month of constant matches. Although that’s meant I’ve been able to catch up with some sleep at least! Now, the tournament’s nearly over but we’ve got the final to look forward to. I don’t think many would have predicted that Croatia would playing for the biggest prize in world football; well done to them and of course to France, one of the pre-tournament favourites. Line-up DB: We’ll take a look at that match at the end of the show of course. And the show will have a quick review of the semi finals and Damian and my predictions for those games. I’ll discuss a football language phrase from the World Cup and take a look at the Languagecaster World Cup predictions league table! The semi finals – Review Your listening to languagecaster.com (in German) DB: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that message was in German. OK, let’s kick off with a look at the France versus Belgium game. Before this game Damian predicted a pragmatic win for the French, while hoping that Belgium would play an exciting attacking game. He was right on both counts, as Belgium really did try everything to unlock the French defence but it was France who saw off Belgium 2-0. For the other game, England v Croatia, Damian’s prediction wasn’t so accurate. He thought England would win quite comfortably 2-1, but of course they lost by that score in extra time. As for me, well I did pretty badly! I had Belgium to surprise France 2-1 with Hazard starring, and although the little striker did play well it wasn’t to be for the Red Devils. I was a little bit closer with the England v Croatia game. I went for 1-1 and then penalties. It was of course 1-1 and extra time, but Croatia nicked a goal and there was no need for penalties. Ow, as an England fan, I can’t complain really. Being in the semi finals was a great achievement for the team – remember it was one of the youngest at the World Cup –  and they didn’t do a l...