European: Lets Talk Football [Archive]

Golgot

08-04-03, 07:11 AM

My football team is the marvellously ****ty Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs), based in London Town. Perhaps we should enter the real debate which is:

When are you guys going to stop using our word? Football, the game of the feet, was named as such first. Later, the name "soccer" was taken from the phrase Association Football. Seeing as it's a superflous secondary term, why don't you guys use it for that funny cissy game you play mainly with the hands? The one where you do actually "sock" each other on a regular basis! You see! It'd make sense!

(ps - i used to like the "soccer" team called the 49ers when i was a young'un)

Hondo333

08-04-03, 08:01 AM

Football, I LOVE football

Soccer: Man U/Portsmouth
Aussierules: Carlton
Gridiorn: Dolphins

Golgot

08-04-03, 10:18 AM

Football, I LOVE football

Soccer: Man U/Portsmouth
Aussierules: Carlton
Gridiorn: Dolphins

DON'T CALL IT THAT! :furious: (tho "Grid-iron" s'good name for the wrapped-up rugby game ;)) (and my god you've heard of Pompey! How strange. Are you related to their croatian benefactor or something? ;))

Steve

08-04-03, 08:31 PM

Early super bowl predictions:

It'll be the Miami Dolphins vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

Golgot

08-04-03, 08:33 PM

wehey! My team! Is Dan Marino still playing for the others then ;) :rolleyes:

Sutter Kain

08-05-03, 05:14 PM

no dan is not with the them any more he has retired. As far as the Super goes I think it is a little early to be predicating who are going to be in it I just hope that The Saints aren't in it!

jrs

08-05-03, 06:41 PM

I love the football season for only one reason....the advertisements during the Superbowl . Now that's fun. As for the game itself, not interested.
I love watching though spanish football (or Soccor as they call it) . just to hear that "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLL!!!". :laugh:

Golgot

08-05-03, 06:51 PM

(or Soccor as they call it)

You're treading a very fine line me-laddo. But you're right, it is classy when they go mental. "Gooooooooolaaaazo! Golgolgolgolgol" Hey, maybe that's where my name comes from?

Erm, and Sutter, i was joking ;)

Hondo333

08-05-03, 10:30 PM

DON'T CALL IT THAT! :furious: (tho "Grid-iron" s'good name for the wrapped-up rugby game ;)) (and my god you've heard of Pompey! How strange. Are you related to their croatian benefactor or something? ;))

Well we have to call it that in Aus. We have about 10 diffrent footballs, Aussie Rules, Rugby Union and League, Soccer Ahhhhh its out of control

and no i dont think i am related to any one croation, But i have lots of mates who are!!! ;)

Golgot

08-05-03, 10:39 PM

Well we have to call it that in Aus. We have about 10 diffrent footballs, Aussie Rules, Rugby Union and League, Soccer Ahhhhh its out of control

and no i dont think i am related to any one croation, But i have lots of mates who are!!! ;)

can't you call the others ball-foot or something? Elbowball (that's my impression of aussie-rules ;) They spend more time watching the off-the ball tackles than the ball!) Anyways, i've been running on a football-related bruised-n-battered foot recently, so i guess i won't point fingers ;)

Sutter Kain

08-06-03, 02:49 AM

Hey Golgot why do u care if people call it Football?

nebbit

08-06-03, 08:12 AM

Hondo333

08-06-03, 08:45 AM

Up the Wollongong Wolves. :scream:

PERTH GLORY :scream:

nebbit

08-06-03, 09:25 AM

PERTH GLORY :scream:

Are they good? I know nothing about soccer, I posted it for my Mother who was a big fan of The Wollongong Wolves. :D

Golgot

08-06-03, 09:52 AM

Hey Golgot why do u care if people call it Football?

just a logic thing really - and a bit of fun. We call our game football, coz it is played with the feet. Later, you guys invented a game using hands and decided to call it football. We just don't like people re-naming our sport for us is all. Absolutely nobody here calls it soccer. Why don't you call "football" gridiron? That'd sort everything out ;) Or "american-rules" (should fit with the mentality;))

Sutter Kain

08-07-03, 12:35 AM

We don't just use our hands we use are feet as well. And we aren't re naming the sport for you we are re naming the sport for us.

sunfrog

08-16-03, 02:30 AM

It's called soccer because it's played with knee high socks.
http://somalinet.com/mag/images/beckham.jpg

It's called football because the ball is carried on foot across the goal line.
http://www.sports-only.com/fantasy/fantasy/td.jpg

Golgot

08-16-03, 01:04 PM

Heheheh. That's the best rationalisation i've ever seen on this topic. Well done.

But, most sports involve the use of your feet. We don't call tennis, erm, football. We don't call running footing either. We apply, with dazzling precision, the word foot to the part of the body used to propel a football (i'm talking about the spherical thing propelled by the foot 90% of the time in the game of football. Not in gridiron, where you coset it and carry it around like a precious baby, which you occasionally like to throw to your neighbour. And where you wear giant protective body socks (and body shoes if you like).

Honestly :rolleyes:

Revenant

08-16-03, 01:43 PM

:idea: I think American football should be more accurately called American Passball, it makes more sense that way in my opinion.

Also, I consider American 'Football' :skeptical: just the safer and far more boring version of Rugby. In Rugby we don't need no silly protective padding. It is a contact sport after all.

As to the other, if your going to name something, it has to have at least a reasonable prominence with the thing your applying it to.

FOOTBALL = Foot connecting with ball.

SOCCER = Sock-er???? Boxing perhaps???? Father Christmas filling stockings???? A maker of socks????

Hey, just having fun there. Americans feel free to use whatever curious choice names you wish for the sports on your particular continent. :D

Golgot

08-16-03, 01:53 PM

so long as they remember what we call our sports too :whistles-innocently-smilie:

Seeing as soccer came from "football association" or something, maybe we could get something out of NFL to sort all this out.

Call it: Nuffle.

Yeah, that'll do. Pass the nuffleball. Or just the nuffle. - "Oh, and that's a beautiful pass, the nuffle's in the air....touchdown" - Yeah, it'd work fine.

Revenant

08-16-03, 02:04 PM

Golgot

08-16-03, 02:05 PM

" He's muffled the nuffle and it doesn't look pretty from the opponents angle........"

:rotfl:

"....he looks ruffled but he's still got the nuffle. He breaks free of the scuffle....Noooo....he didn't have enough left to nuffle it well, and now he's in for a rebuff-el from his manager, as well...."

sunfrog

08-16-03, 02:11 PM

Btw, in Mexico it's called Fútbol.
http://www.saveurs.sympatico.ca/ency-voy/cenameri/maya.jpg

To Golgot,
Why don't you call it Footie? It's cute and more polite since it makes no mention of balls. :D

To the people who say Miami is going to the Superbowl every year,
Not this year. :D

Revenant

08-16-03, 02:13 PM

:rotfl:

"....he looks ruffled but he's still got the nuffle. He breaks free of the scuffle....Noooo....he didn't have enough left to nuffle it well, and now he's in for a rebuff-el from his manager, as well...."

"Now the crowd has been muffled as the nuffle gets shuffled away....."

Err, I'm stuck for additional rhyme. :dizzy:

Golgot

08-16-03, 02:21 PM

Btw, in Mexico it's called Fútbol.

To Golgot,
Why don't you call it Footie? It's cute and more polite since it makes no mention of balls. :D

Oh we do, but quietly, so noone will think they're free to use the official version without our say-so ;)

Y es mas o menos igual: futbol/football - no?

Those mystical Mexicans, they know about the nature of reality (and silly sports that keep us off the streets ;))

Hmm, ok, you're right tho. Any word with ball in it might offend delicate american sensibilities (;)). Quick, let's change it too footbladder. No, that's no better. Um,....spheri-thing? ElliptiHand? CatchyCurve? SquishedSphere? Spinner? Rota-Rugby?

Come on, you've had ages to make up your own name for it ;)
(i'm so asking for trouble... :rolleyes: )

Golgot

08-16-03, 02:26 PM

"Now the crowd has been muffled as the nuffle gets shuffled away....."

Err, I'm stuck for additional rhyme. :dizzy:

Yeah, i kept ending up trying to fit duffle-coat in there somewhere. Oh well, it's not like commentators rhyme that much...."He hits the ball through the squall of winter weather and it lands with a dismall squelch." - well, alright, mebe occasionally - the more morosely flambouyant ones ;)

Groove Switch

08-24-03, 08:40 PM

I'm a big Patriots fan, let's hope they can rebuild that glory from two years ago!

Mairosu

08-24-03, 08:43 PM

49ers fan here, and when it comes to our football, Red Star Belgrade, Liverpool FC & Feijenoord.

Golgot

08-24-03, 08:53 PM

Where are you based these days then Mairosu?

(PS God I'm so happy - Spurs actually looked good in the premiership this weekend. Could the seven years of injuries, lack of squad-depth, options across the pitch, and on-and-off flair and fun-to-watch footie be over? Could we be back in consistant flair territory? After the goals today -we can but hope - Kanoute actually looked solid, not injury prone. Taricco finally made one of those speculative shots work. The best defenders were all there and giving good account of themselves. We've got a selection of strikers who can actually score (even when Robbie Keane's away - last year that would have been a disaster). Christ, we even had a midfield!!! Oh yessss)

Mairosu

08-24-03, 08:56 PM

Golgot

08-24-03, 09:02 PM

You've won one of six? (well - we just ended a run of about ten league games without a goal [i think] - counting the end of last season. Abysmal end. Hilarious start tho - last season we were top - mainly coz our (when-fit) surreal midfield talisman is ex-scouser/Liverpool Redknapp - who kept spooning hilarious accidental goals and passes. We were top for the first few weeks til he got injured :rolleyes: - still ,he played a blinder yesterday. Lovely distribution)

Mairosu

08-24-03, 09:08 PM

Golgot

08-24-03, 09:16 PM

Nah, I meant one point from the opening six. Fills you with confidence.

As for Redders, he should be blamed for increasing the unemployment rates in the northwest - the moment he bolted for London, the NHS inevitably had to lay off all those extra hospital workers.

Seriously, the guy's good for maybe 4 games per season. I was quite keen on Spurs at one point because they resemble a medical miracle - Redknapp AND Dazza Anderton in one team. Honestly, their insurance bill has to be going through the roof with those two around.

Heheheh - i'm still waiting for our sponser to change to a private-health-clinic.

Yeah, i'm probably going over the top - we've often put in some really polished/ near-top-level-looking performances like this in recent years. It's the very fact that those performances are so flashy in some ways that you feel there can't be that much steel behind it. And again, we do lack a real Roy-Keane-style stopper who can also create (so glad to see the new transfers working out tho and some dead wood gone - even if keeping Teddy would have been nice)

In fact - i can't even remember who was in the holding role yesterday. But some of our bargain-basement flair players have been freed up, like Simon Davis etc. He can really complement what looked like a good roving n flexible mid-field now. And Carr is just quality getting down the right.

Erm, ok, that's enough now probably ;) - but i could wax lyrical about the Kanoute goal - a little touch over his shoulder, then an amzing hip-twisting scissor-kick/volley afair that did NOT look like the work of a dodgy man. Postiga -the portuguese striker, looked promising too.

Oh well - potential top-eight beckons again ;) - You never know tho...you never know ;)

Who's the big news in Gent btw? (don't worry - we won't be buying them - Spurs's back room has been cut to shreds. It's make or break time really)

firegod

08-26-03, 10:44 AM

Rugby was called "football" before American style football was invented. So blame them, not Americans.

Mairosu

08-26-03, 11:01 AM

Who's the big news in Gent btw? (don't worry - we won't be buying them - Spurs's back room has been cut to shreds. It's make or break time really)

Eh, the local lads won one belgian cup about five centuries ago, so football-wise, this town is nothing spectacular.

Golgot

08-26-03, 06:34 PM

Rugby was called "football" before American style football was invented. So blame them, not Americans.

Who? The Rugbians?

Have you seen the size of those people? ;)

firegod

08-26-03, 06:38 PM

Who? The Rugbians?

Have you seen the size of those people? ;)

And man are they TOUGH. I imagine if I gave one of those guys a Tae Kwon Do kick to the head, he would just laugh his ass off.

nebbit

08-26-03, 06:46 PM

And man are they TOUGH. I imagine if I gave one of those guys a Tae Kwon Do kick to the head, he would just laugh his ass off.

I really think that Aussie rugby League players are tougher than USA guys, the Aussie's don't wear any padding, they just tackle and bash into each other and get up and continue with the game, "Come on Aussie's Come on" :yup: :rotfl:

Mairosu

08-26-03, 06:48 PM

...but the All Blacks are still the cream of the rugby world.

firegod

08-26-03, 06:51 PM

I really think that Aussie rugby League players are tougher than USA guys, the Aussie's don't wear any padding, they just tackle and bash into each other and get up and continue with the game, "Come on Aussie's Come on" :yup: :rotfl:

I didn't even know we HAD rugby here. But as tough as Ausie players are, they'd have about 15 to 20 injuries a game if they hit each other as hard as NFL players do without any padding. The NFL guys could take off the pads, and SOME of them could play nonstop like rugby, but they would have to slow the game down to rugby speed to keep from literally killing themselves.

Revenant

08-26-03, 06:51 PM

...but the All Blacks are still the cream of the rugby world.

Our English Lions might have something to say about that.

Mairosu

08-26-03, 06:57 PM

Our English Lions might have something to say about that.
Two straight wins are not enough to forget the memorable 64-22 and 40-10 drubbings back in '98.

nebbit

08-26-03, 07:00 PM

...but the All Blacks are still the cream of the rugby world.

Weeeeeellll yes they are, but one day the aussie's will come back, that is what my husband beleives, "he's dreaming" :D

nebbit

08-26-03, 07:05 PM

I didn't even know we HAD rugby here. But as tough as Ausie players are, they'd have about 15 to 20 injuries a game if they hit each other as hard as NFL players do without any padding. The NFL guys could take off the pads, and SOME of them could play nonstop like rugby, but they would have to slow the game down to rugby speed to keep from literally killing themselves.

Come on we have Rugby League
Rugby Union
Aussie Rules
Soccer

You are probably right about the strength of the USA players, but I was only being sarcastic, you know sort of joking :blush:

Golgot

08-26-03, 09:02 PM

And man are they TOUGH. I imagine if I gave one of those guys a Tae Kwon Do kick to the head, he would just laugh his ass off.

They'd eat your foot. ;)

Fortunately (well not for him :( ) someone died playing rugby at my school 80 years before i turned up - so we didn't play it til i was leaving. I'm the slim and nippy type (but muscley - honest. It just looks ridiculous tho - coz i've got zero fat content. I look like a less-worked out bruce lee [honest again - well, that's what people say :rolleyes: maybe they're afraid i'll talk more voodoo mysticism to them if they don't complement me ;)]. Damn that fast metabolism ;)) Anyways, i just used to throw the ball over my shoulder and leg it when it came my way. 1 metre 80 of 55 kgs don't hang around for nobody ;)

Damn, given a mental image away. Ah well :rolleyes:

Mairosu

08-28-03, 05:37 PM

*bump* Zero goals in three bloody games and two points. Now that's what I call a succesfull league start ! OH JOY !

Golgot

08-28-03, 05:43 PM

Ahh, we nil-nil-ed with your luvly-pudlians. That'll do for another mid-table spurs season :rolleyes: (europe-this-season, europe-this-season. Britain must become part of europe this season ;))

Revenant

08-28-03, 05:46 PM

*bump* Zero goals in three bloody games and two points. Now that's what I call a succesfull league start ! OH JOY !
My team Aston Villa has only 1 point in three games. The bad thing is Villa tends to go down hill during the second half of the season so things are looking pretty dim.

Still I've got my alternate teams (yes I support more) one in each division, West Ham (dv1), Peterborough (dv2), Leyton Orient (dv3) and Dagenham and Redbridge (c). Aston Villa's still my main team though. West Hams the local club, Peterborough's where I was born, Leyton Orient is the family team and the Daggers well the're near-by, I just love the club.

Golgot

08-28-03, 05:56 PM

Heheheh - Barnet's my local little-un, but they've just sold off their entire team (and even taken on a guy i play with!!!! They must be desperate! They let some local business man pay 8,500 to play for five minutes in a friendly with arsenal - something like that anyway. Still, best pitch ever - on a slope. Been to some quality games there)

They used to yo-yo up and down the leagues with my birth-town team: colchester. Ah, those were the days. Successful-ish spurs and two back-up teams doing entertaining things.

Mairosu

08-30-03, 08:46 PM

Now that's what I'm talking about. Three goals in Everton's net, at Goodison no less, and what a game by Harry Kewell.

And it also seems that Spurs are back to normal (read midtable mediocrity). Flat 0:3 at home to Fulham, man who would expect that...only just about everyone who ever followed them for the past decade :D

Golgot

09-04-03, 10:41 AM

heheheh - the return to the good-old-days had to happen ;) - we shall see we shall see (a middle table place again - gah - it was more fun when we were near relegation for a few years ;))

Europe this year! - i demand the chance to see us get knocked out in the second round of the UEFA again. That's the kind of mediocrity spurs aspires to :yup:

Ah well, at least the flair-days look like they're back. Now we can boss liverpool off the pitch in midfield things aren't looking too bad ;)

nebbit

09-04-03, 11:26 PM

Horaaaaaaaay Australia, the venue of the world cup. :D

Revenant

09-06-03, 04:54 PM

England/Macedonia result below........

GO ENGLAND! WOOHOO!

England 2 Macedonia 1

Not a convincing win but a win nonetheless.

The violence has got to be sorted out though. England are getting a raw deal, and as for the racist chants, what is with those ignorant idiots? The booing was bad and worst of all, the flag burning. It's things like that which accentuate the problem. Also the England fans should have never traveled to the match it is only going to add to our bad reputation which is a little overblown as it is.

Revenge of Mr M

09-30-03, 10:50 AM

I support Manchester United and Barnet (thanks to Championship Manager) Barnet may be desperate, but they seem to be winning a whole lot, and might just clinch a play off place; with regards the squad, it was less a case of money, more a case of getting rid of the dead wood; I think it was seven of the first team who were sold into the higher divisions (Heald, Harrison, Agogo, Purser, Brown, Doolan and Gower, the rest, about 12 or so, got dumped on free transfers (although for some of them, that was because they wanted to take up a second profession)

Spurs are currently managerless... wonder who'll take charge.

Golgot

10-06-03, 12:59 PM

Pleat'll do for now :) (and we did supposedly strip our backroom bare over the summer - so mebe a bit of scrimping and saving is in order. It's not like we need anyone orchestrating the scouting right now - there's no more cash ;)). Still, a very useful looking front line, some intriguing attacking possibilities in midfield, the defence happier in a 4 4 2, and a nice little 3-0 against everton. Even Anderton fulfilled his knock-kneed promise (bless im). That'll do nicely.

And aha! This explains the barnet thing! You don't live near them then? (they're my nearest club, but i've only been a few times. Mind you, only been to the Lane once ;) I'm a pub-chair fan) I assumed you were from manchester (what was i thinking? You might as well have been Thai ;))

Some guy i play footy with disappeared recently, claiming he'd been signed up by the Bees. About 2 months back or so, when some big changes were going on (and that bloke paid to play the last 5 mins against the Arse or something). We called him Sis most of the time - no idea what his real name is (might well be Asis or something - he's a stocky turkish lad. Good skills and strength, but selfish brain. No surprise that my mate says he hasn't noticed anyone like that even on the bench. It'd be funny tho if he does turn up)

Revenant

10-10-03, 08:18 PM

England vs Turkey.

Lets hope its a clear cut game with no problems and that England turn out the natural and superior victors, without being expelled because of mindless thugs and unnecessary poiltical interference. :D

Golgot

10-12-03, 03:55 PM

we were superiorally thuggish ;)

(well, actually, Gerrard's dive for the penalty was quite ingenious and sneaky ;))

Nah, that'll do. And it lines up a possible Welsh Turkey clash. I'd like to see that :yup: - Coz Wales vs Holland i wouldn't see (coz i'd just cover my eyes all the way through)

Revenant

10-12-03, 07:37 PM

(well, actually, Gerrard's dive for the penalty was quite ingenious and sneaky ;))

I wouldn't call it a dive. Both Turkish payers went to trip him,naughty, naughty. Beckham was unlucky with the penalty and all those turks that celberated got their deserts.

As for the Turkey players that was not diving either, it was more of a case of trying out for clown college.
Ooooh, I hurt my leg.
Ouch, you meany.
Ahhh, what was that for?
Eeek, I landed on my tooshie.

Also well done to those men and woman who guarded and worked to ensure that this was a pleasant game without fans louting around, and without resorting to violence.

The game was marred though by no goal (forgivable, a draw is as good as a win) and Alpay's pathetic and childish attempts at half time to rile up Becks. He said he wanted to be the peace maker before the match. :rolleyes:

All I can say is phew! That was one nerve inducing game.

Scotland still have a chance too, so go Scotland!

Piddzilla

10-12-03, 08:36 PM

I just hope that Turkey doesn't make it to the finals. Sweden and Turkey always end up in the same group for some reason and the turks mean trouble for us.

Revenant

10-12-03, 08:40 PM

I just hope that Turkey doesn't make it to the finals. Sweden and Turkey always end up in the same group for some reason and the turks mean trouble for us.

Turkey in football is just trouble, full stop.

Golgot

10-12-03, 09:06 PM

Turkey in football is just trouble, full stop.

They can be quite good. That's the problem ;)

Piddzilla

10-12-03, 09:34 PM

They can be quite good. That's the problem ;)

Exactly. They can be really good...

Golgot

10-13-03, 09:49 AM

What you need is a non-stop mid-field blocker with a silly name like our fella "Butt" ;) [and someone like the man i like to call Gerrardinyo. That man has the traditional british leg-breaking ethic coupled with some real moves.]

But what am i saying? You guys were one of our "bogey" teams for a long time. (But you owe us for spanking Denmark in the world cup ;) - you have to lose gracefully to us next time to repay the debt ;))

Revenge of Mr M

10-13-03, 09:57 AM

Golgot

10-13-03, 10:03 AM

Ahhhh, thank F my little Welsh compatriots didn't get the Dutch or the Spanish (can't BELIEVE what's happened to the spanish! This must mean they're going to storm it in the finals for a change! Mind you, i can't believe what's happened to Wales either!)

It's gotta be a near all-british affair. The Welsh deserve it. Giggsy deserves it. And the world might even find another group of derangedly passionate celts an acceptable substitute for the Irish :)

Piddzilla

10-13-03, 05:07 PM

Euro 2004 Play-Off Draws

Latvia v Turkey
Scotland v Holland
Croatia v Slovenia
Russia v Wales
Spain v Norway

I'd say Turkey would be mighty embarassed if they didn't make it through that. As for Scotland... sayonara...

I can't believe the luck of the turks. Then again, I can't believe Sweden lost against Latvia in the last qualification game.

Scotland are in deep ****, true. But the dutch team has ****ed up before. Where will the game be played?

Croatia v Slovenia. Oh, this one will be tight. I saw Slovenia in, was it the last World Cup or the last European Cup, and they really made an impression on me. Croatia.. are they as good as they used to be? Tight game.

Russia v Wales. Another real tight one and I am really hoping that Wales and Giggs will make it to the finals this time. It will be one more attraction with Giggs in the tournament. Who needs Russia anyway.

Spain will probably beat my norwegian neighbors. But Norway has some good players. But Spain belongs in the final tournament.

Can someone explain to me why France had to qualify even though they are reigning champs? Cause they are, right?

LordSlaytan

10-13-03, 10:38 PM

Also, I consider American 'Football' :skeptical: just the safer and far more boring version of Rugby. In Rugby we don't need no silly protective padding. It is a contact sport after all.

OMG!!! I am so sick of people saying that absolutely ridiculous statement. How would you like to be hit hard and thrown to the ground by a 6'5" 350 pond man running at full speed? WITHOUT PROTECTION???? GOD!!!

Revenge of Mr M

10-14-03, 05:25 AM

I can't believe the luck of the turks. Then again, I can't believe Sweden lost against Latvia in the last qualification game.

Scotland are in deep ****, true. But the dutch team has ****ed up before. Where will the game be played?

Croatia v Slovenia. Oh, this one will be tight. I saw Slovenia in, was it the last World Cup or the last European Cup, and they really made an impression on me. Croatia.. are they as good as they used to be? Tight game.

Russia v Wales. Another real tight one and I am really hoping that Wales and Giggs will make it to the finals this time. It will be one more attraction with Giggs in the tournament. Who needs Russia anyway.

Spain will probably beat my norwegian neighbors. But Norway has some good players. But Spain belongs in the final tournament.

Can someone explain to me why France had to qualify even though they are reigning champs? Cause they are, right?

The games will be played over two legs, home and away, with the first legs as drawn above. Reigning champs have to go through qualification in European Championships. It's a silly rule, but that's the way it is, and has been for a while. Astonishingly, they are now implementing the same rule at the World Cup, so Brazil will have to qualify for Germany 2006.

OMG!!! I am so sick of people saying that absolutely ridiculous statement. How would you like to be hit hard and thrown to the ground by a 6'5" 350 pond man running at full speed? WITHOUT PROTECTION???? GOD!!!

I'd feel very wet. Ahahaha... that was lame... but so is American football ;D

Golgot

11-17-03, 09:39 AM

OMG!!! I am so sick of people saying that absolutely ridiculous statement. How would you like to be hit hard and thrown to the ground by a 6'5" 350 pond man running at full speed? WITHOUT PROTECTION???? GOD!!!

Actually, that does happen in rugby a fair bit, just not as much. But i think they're a bit chubbier as a rule and don't get up to such high speeds.

Anyways,

Wales triumphantly suppressed the Russians into an away 0-0. Heheheh, makes me think of the Simpsons episode where all the passing just makes the fans riot. (Giggsy might be injured tho. We're doooooomed ;) Actually, we seem to have a bit of a first team these days. Alright midfielders aside from Giggsy. A defense and everything. Unheard of.)

And the scots won 1-0 against the Dutch! Blimey. Could it be a British affair at the Euros? We'll know soon enough. I'll cheer the scots on too, as much as they love to hate the english. Silly buggers. (well, i've got about as much scottish blood as english anyway)

Off to sing in the drizzle, with my frizzle of fused blood (that's my new bastardised term for my mongrel-anglo-celtic nature ;) Tho my mates have forced me to support england primarily [especially in cricket. Bastards ;)])

Revenge of Mr M

11-18-03, 10:01 AM

And England lost 3-2 at home to Denmark. At least it was only a friendly. Although, I'm pretty sad to have to say that. The friendly has been really devalued lately, which is sad indeed. What's the point if he's just going to change the whole team before they've had a chance to play a little bitty?
Manchester United are trying to sign Dong Fanzhou, a Chinese striker. Which is good, because we are in desperate need of an extra striker. However, my Toon Army friend is rather more sceptical, claiming the deal is only being worked so we can sell plentiful shirts in China. Well, it can't have been coincidence that I recieved a copy of the club catalogue last week. ;)

nebbit

11-21-03, 12:37 AM

GO THE WALLABIES
http://www.cp.org/english/online/full/Sports/021102/s110232.jpg

Revenge of Mr M

11-21-03, 05:15 AM

53% of Sydney Morning Herald readers believe that England will win by more than 30 points, mwahaha.

Well sad ends for Scotland and Wales although the tournament just wouldn't have been quite the same without the Dutch ;) ) Latvia are in the finals! That's a major shock I have to say.

Golgot

11-21-03, 07:31 AM

higgy

05-12-04, 02:54 PM

I support Dundee F.C., but like Man City. I don't really like any other sports, except beach soccer, or masters football. I like playing others, but just find them boring to watch.

Golgot

05-25-05, 06:55 PM

Ok, thread resurrection.

Anyone just see the Liverpool - AC Milan game?

I belive in miracles. That was drama, that was class :)

(and this from a Spurs fan, whose only hope of Euro football is the fariplay draw ;))

Proper feckin gold-plated entertainment.

And sh*t, i was gonna watch Fellinini's La Strada tonight. Guess it'll have to be tomorrow ;)

EDIT: I'll take my entertainment blood simple and spontaneous for tonight

Tacitus

05-25-05, 07:31 PM

Proper wobbly-legged penalty saving japery, I can tell you!

I have the misfortune to be a Glentoran fan but I lived in Liverpool during my college years and went to Anfield many times so they're a team I have a degree of affection for (my Great Uncle played for Everton though, between the wars, so I can talk my way out of most footie-related tension on Merseyside).

A great match, superb comeback, wonderful atmosphere etc though I wonder if they'll be allowed to defend the title? ;)

OMG!!! I am so sick of people saying that absolutely ridiculous statement. How would you like to be hit hard and thrown to the ground by a 6'5" 350 pond man running at full speed? WITHOUT PROTECTION???? GOD!!!

Well, my back problems started when I was double knee-dropped by a 6 foot 5 Lock by the name of 'Big' Davey Tweed during practice for a 2nd XV match when I was 19. He buys me a pint occasionally in the club, probably out of pity...

Golgot

05-25-05, 08:03 PM

Proper wobbly-legged saving japery

Before or after the penalites? ;)

Well, my back problems started when I was double knee-dropped by a 6 foot 5 Lock by the name of 'Big' Davey Tweed

I'm sure you wouldn't have wanted any armour tho - that would've been cheating :rolleyes: (Hell, only time i was on a rugby pitch i gave the ball to whoever was nearest and just ran the other way. But, wait, maybe those are the rules? - Nah, it was coz i was eight stone - and the teams were both a kind of mud-coloured hue ;))

Tacitus

05-25-05, 08:32 PM

I'm sure you wouldn't have wanted any armour tho - that would've been cheating )

They wear a bit of protection thesedays, under the shirts, nothing too fancy though.

I went to a 'rugby' school and being a big lump as a teenager didn't have much choice about playing the game. Was never much good though, more brute force and ignorance than skill.

Someone once said that rugby was a game played by hooligans and watched by gentlemen while football was a game played by gentlemen and watched by hooligans.

He'd obviously never seen Lee Bowyer in action. ;)

Golgot

05-25-05, 08:42 PM

...while football was a game played by gentlemen and watched by hooligans.

He'd obviously never seen Lee Bowyer in action. ;)

Nice ;)

Although i'm not sure Bowyer even qualifies for the man bit (he looks more like some form of evil overgrown ferret ;))

Soz to hear about your rugby ruckus tho. I only avoided that sh*t by being cack in the first place ;) (and coz they'd banned rugby for years in my school for years - a guy had got his head fatally pronged on the railings at the side of the pitch). Lovely sport. Rather watch it than risk my kidneys amongst it - but that's probably coz i'm theoretically Welsh :).

Tacitus

05-25-05, 08:55 PM

A good mate of mine was a pretty handy player, so handy that he got into a selection match for an Ireland tour to Zimbabwe 10ish years back.

Broke his leg in 2 places half way through the game which ended his career, was off work for months and still walks with a limp.

If you're theoretically Welsh I can tell my Matt Dawson story without fear of reprisal then. :D

He goes out with a girl who hails from round these parts and appeared in the local club with her a few months after the World Cup win. Now I always thought he was a cocky so & so on the pitch - he was the same in person.

The same, that is, until a 70 year old rheumatic ex-bank manager called Billy poured a pint over his head. I doubt if Billy's had to buy a drink there since (the whereabouts of Dawson are unknown but he was apparently spotted exchanging wisecracks with a failed Scottish comedian and a leather-skinned friend of Cliff Richard).

Golgot

05-25-05, 09:11 PM

(the whereabouts of Dawson are unknown but he was apparently spotted exchanging wisecracks with a failed Scottish comedian and a leather-skinned friend of Cliff Richard).

Ahh, that's what the Englophiles need, Cliff Richard-ites encouraging them on in the rain ;).

Yeah, i never knew how to deal with England winning that last rugby cup. They were still a bunch of triple-chinned tossers after they won :rolleyes:.

It me caught in my own little dilemma: I'm English born, Welsh-and-Australian of blood, and my one cricket-following mate won't even let me support the Aussies when the Ashes are on :rolleyes:. So i've just settled for focusing on footie - with a sliding scale from England to... whoever's doing better out of the Aussies or Wales ;). (Occasionally i support Colchester United as well :))

Tacitus

05-26-05, 06:11 AM

Ahh, that's what the Englophiles need, Cliff Richard-ites encouraging them on in the rain ;).

You're not a fan of A Question Of Sport? :D

I've seen Colchester Utd play - my sis used to live there.

Fortunately I don't have any National quandries when it comes to supporting Ireland, though my stepdad comes from Salford and is a rabid Man Utd and England fan which makes the 3 trips to Lansdowne Rd we make each year 'interesting'...

The Ashes might actually be a contest this year, Harmison's form and Freddie's fitness permitting, but I'd go with my heart and support the winning side. :D

Now Cricket's a proper sport...

Golgot

05-26-05, 06:52 AM

...I'd go with my heart and support the winning side. :D

Now Cricket's a proper sport...

I don't know what i'll do if England win the Ashes. All my underdog teams are suddenly becoming overdogs ;)

Hondo333

05-26-05, 11:48 PM

I don't know what i'll do if England win the Ashes. All my underdog teams are suddenly becoming overdogs ;)

... I don't think you have much to worry about, Your team may be improving, but 'comeon, You still odnt have much of a chance with us.

7thson

05-27-05, 02:09 AM

Go Gators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait am I in the right place?

Golgot

05-27-05, 06:58 AM

... I don't think you have much to worry about, Your team may be improving, but 'comeon, You still odnt have much of a chance with us.

Your cricketing Empire will fall sir! :p

Go Gators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait am I in the right place?

Yep, i think we're officially re-terming any game with a ball 'football' ;)

Piddzilla

05-27-05, 07:58 AM

How about that Champions League final!! My goodness.... Before the game I wanted Milan to win because they've played the most entertaining football. But after the greatest turn-around in history of european cup football I think Liverpool deserve the title one hundred percent. Incredible... That goalie is something else. And the moral and team spirit of Liverpool is amazing...

Golgot

05-27-05, 08:08 AM

Tacitus

05-27-05, 09:25 AM

That might have been the keeper's last game for them too. (Mainly coz he can't hold on to the ball - he gave it to Milan about as often as he saved from them in that game - he's definitely entertaining tho ;)).

I nearly didn't watch the second half. Glad i did :yup::yup::yup:

He's off I think, there's another keeper on the way apparently (can't remember his name but think he plays in Spain).

Dudek's dodgy but had a heck of a game, much like Lehmann in the FA Cup final. Wouldn't trust him over a whole season. ;)

adidasss

06-05-05, 04:33 PM

adidasss

06-05-05, 04:38 PM

oh, and i love the way this thread has been violently turned into a footy thread instead of american "football" thread....

Pyro Tramp

06-05-05, 05:39 PM

American Football/Football/Rugby

Peeps fav?

Tacitus

06-05-05, 06:11 PM

Football, no contest. I just wish I was good enough to play at a level beyond kicking lumps out of people in midfield (though it ain't served Roy Keane too badly).

I like my boxing too, sat up til 3ish watching Hatten-Tszyu. Cracking fight. ;)

Pyro Tramp

06-05-05, 07:15 PM

Hmm, im not too much into sport nowadays, but you can never beat a round of hacky sack :p

Football's too commercialised for me plus football hooligans and extortionate ticket prices, i don't see what the fuss is all about.

nebbit

06-05-05, 07:15 PM

I like my boxing too, sat up til 3ish watching Hatten-Tszyu. Cracking fight. ;)

Who won? :)

Tacitus

06-05-05, 09:18 PM

Who won? :)

Sorry nebbs, but Hatton won - poor old Tszyu quit on his stool before the 12th round. He was very gracious in defeat though, seems like a nice guy. ;)

Golgot

06-05-05, 09:55 PM

Football's too commercialised for me plus football hooligans and extortionate ticket prices, i don't see what the fuss is all about.

Ahh, screw going to games - might as well let the tribalists pay for the spectacle and we can just sit back and watch on the box :). (altho i have enjoyed going to the odd game - and getting unrepentently fired up when it's international time ;)).

Best thing about watching is we can learn just how bad we are at playing the game in real life ;).

I just wish I was good enough to play at a level beyond kicking lumps out of people in midfield (though it ain't served Roy Keane too badly).

Hey, i'm one of the ones you kick lumps out of! ;). My speciality is to dally on the ball for ridiculous lengths of time and baffle everyone, including myself. Very very occasionally i pull out some piece of left-footed flukery that actually achieves something - and then i savour it for years ;).

Tacitus

06-06-05, 04:10 AM

Hey, i'm one of the ones you kick lumps out of! ;). My speciality is to dally on the ball for ridiculous lengths of time and baffle everyone, including myself. Very very occasionally i pull out some piece of left-footed flukery that actually achieves something - and then i savour it for years ;).

hmmmmm you're David Ginola?

Golgot

06-06-05, 09:57 AM

hmmmmm you're David Ginola?
10% of the talent and health levels, but i still do 90% more running for the team ;)

Sedai

06-06-05, 10:37 AM

Well,

American Football doesn't start for another few months, so there is nothing to talk about right now as far as that is concerned. I am glad, though, as that would mean it would be fall, and I would have missed summer. Can't have that....

Tacitus

06-06-05, 10:49 AM

10% of the talent and health levels, but i still do 90% more running for the team ;)

Ahhh but do you also have 10% of the lustrous locks?

Weirdly he's the only footballer my mum likes - Ian Dowie's nowhere near. :rolleyes:

Piddzilla

06-06-05, 02:21 PM

http://terceiroanel.no.sapo.pt/clubes/malmo.gif

:D

Golgot

06-06-05, 04:02 PM

[CENTER]http://terceiroanel.no.sapo.pt/clubes/malmo.gif

Yay Malmo. The only place in Sweden i've been too. (at least i think that's where i was. Got given too many drinks by drunk snowboarding Swede-landers to be completely sure. Why they were snowboarding on the boat i don't know - told you they were drunk ;))

American Football doesn't start for another few months, so there is nothing to talk about right now as far as that is concerned. I am glad, though, as that would mean it would be fall, and I would have missed summer. Can't have that....

yeah, it's pretty much the same on the footie front - summer's for playing - winter's for watching. Now... if i could just give up smoking again... :)

There is all the transfer gossip though, and other scraps of soap-opera shenanigans. My team's top-notch transfer-guru just got stolen by Chelsea the other day. Very annoying. I blame Peristroika. (if you haven't heard about the Chelski revolution that won't make any sense at all ;))

Ahhh but do you also have 10% of the lustrous locks?

I've got the length, but again, i'm in worse condition ;) (i don't have any of his modelling contracts either, dammit)

Tacitus

06-06-05, 07:54 PM

I'm considering not renewing my season ticket for Glentoran next year - knives are all very well for cutting steak, but not so hot in the crowd at the Linfield games....

Golgot

06-06-05, 08:00 PM

I'm considering not renewing my season ticket for Glentoran next year - knives are all very well for cutting steak, but not so hot in the crowd at the Linfield games....

If there's one thing to hate about sport, and footie, it's that ****. Stupid stupid fecking tribalism.

Tacitus

06-06-05, 08:13 PM

I've been to footie matches in England & Scotland for 15odd years and can comfortably say that the nastiest sets of fans belong in Belfast.

Ho-hum. :(

nebbit

06-07-05, 03:10 AM

Now... if i could just give up smoking again... :)

Do it, do it, you can do it again :yup:

Gregair

06-14-05, 02:45 PM

american football? go vikings.

sunfrog

06-15-05, 05:30 AM

Hey, remember last year when I predicted Kansas City would go to the Superbowl? Er... I was wrong.

Tacitus

07-06-05, 07:45 PM

My football team is the marvellously ****ty Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs)

What are your thoughts on the Lillywhites' quest to buy every promising young midfielder in England?

Incidentally, do you ever arrange to meet friends at a certain place, then just never turn up?

They'd be waiting for Golgot.....

Sorry

Golgot

07-06-05, 08:03 PM

What are your thoughts on the Lillywhites' quest to buy every promising young midfielder in England?

Incidentally, do you ever arrange to meet friends at a certain place, then just never turn up?

They'd be waiting for Golgot.....

Sorry

Erm, yeah, we want all of them (although Chelsea can have Shaun Wright Phillips - he comes from a dodgy family ;)).

I think the management plan is to build a team whose average age is 6 - and then to buy no one else for the next 30 years ;).

Still, yeah, god knows, give us a few more false dawns and we might actually have a midfield for the first time in decades :)

Andy Reid's looking like a good buy, of the older-young'uns we've bought. I'm a bit worried they might play him out of position tho, considering Zeigler's doing well, and now Routledge is in. We'll see. And then there's Lennon too. It is looking kind of promising at the mo :)

I think they got this new Finnish midfielder Tainio in too coz Jol wants some more bite in midfield - so now all we need is a rock-solid classic centre forward and we'd be looking pretty sweet (Kanoute's cool - his control is quality - but we need a tall man who can head the ball)

Nah, i just right 'Godot was there' on walls everywhere i go ;)

Tacitus

07-06-05, 08:06 PM

That reminds me of a radio phone show about Scottish football:

"Anti Niemi should play in goal for Scotland!"

"But he's Finnish."

"He's no finished, he's only 28!"

Golgot

07-06-05, 08:10 PM

That reminds me of a radio phone show about Scottish football:

"Anti Niemi should play in goal for Scotland!"

"But he's Finnish."

"He's no finished, he's only 28!"

Heheheheh. Football phone-ins are comedy gold :). (What were they thinking tho? That coz he looks like an extra from Braveheart he must be Scottish?)

EDIT: And that would've made him Irish anyway ;)

Tacitus

07-06-05, 08:12 PM

I think he played in Scotland (Rangers or Hearts?) prior to Southampton.

Anthony Niemi maybe? Say it with a Scots accent :D

Golgot

07-06-05, 08:19 PM

I think he played in Scotland (Rangers or Hearts?) prior to Southampton.

Anthony Niemi maybe? Say it with a Scots accent :D

Heheheh. It's terrible tho isn't it - all these years the honest Scots accent has eaten millions of word-endings, thus saving precious air for the rest of us... and that wind-bag Chirac has a bitch just coz someone made him eat a haggis ;)

nebbit

07-06-05, 08:32 PM

that wind-bag Chirac has a bitch just coz someone made him eat a haggis ;)

Don't blame him :sick:

Golgot

07-06-05, 08:38 PM

Don't blame him :sick:

Blame him for being a wind bag? Oh ok, to be fair, maybe the haggis gave him wind ;)

nebbit

07-06-05, 08:49 PM

Oh ok, to be fair, maybe the haggis gave him wind

:laugh:

Darth Stujitzu

07-06-05, 08:57 PM

Blame him for being a wind bag? Oh ok, to be fair, maybe the haggis gave him wind ;)

To be fair, Chirac's full of hot air anyway!!!!
I am zo zorrie zat ze never won ze Olympic bid!!!!
Arrogant French tosser!
Chirac.....bad
Haggis.....good.

On a football note, although I'm protestant and live in Glasgow, I follow Celtic. It's all about football to me, religion and polotics have no part in the game!!!
Big Man U. fan as well, so I'm not going to be too popular on this forum, but hey I love footie!!!

As for American football........ :nope:

Golgot

07-06-05, 09:08 PM

...although I'm protestant and live in Glasgow, I follow Celtic.

Heretic!

Big Man U. fan as well...

Heretic!

It's all about football to me, religion and polotics have no part in the game!!!

Good man ;)

Sinny McGuffins

07-06-05, 10:42 PM

http://www.roversactive.co.uk/wp-images/uploads/champions.jpg

Does anyone else remember the good old days?

Tacitus

07-07-05, 05:57 AM

http://www.roversactive.co.uk/wp-images/uploads/champions.jpg

Does anyone else remember the good old days?

Yup, sadly Walker's millions have gone.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/en/pf/20011221/i/67944507.jpg

http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1982/Wc82_54s.jpg

I go back a bit further... :)

Darth Stujitzu

07-07-05, 11:33 AM

Yup, sadly Walker's millions have gone.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/en/pf/20011221/i/67944507.jpg

http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1982/Wc82_54s.jpg

I go back a bit further... :)

Nice fro O'Neill's got!!!
He was living 2 doors up from my mum in Glasgow, met him a few times, shame the fro was gone.

Tacitus

07-07-05, 12:48 PM

Does anyone else remember the good old days?

I see you've just signed Craig Bellamy, which might be a masterstroke.

Or might not...

http://www.football365.com/mediastore/Story_Images/F365_Homepage/Lookalikes/bellamymonkey.jpg

Tacitus

09-08-05, 07:33 AM

Not being one to gloat, but I'm going to gloat....

This (http://www.football365.com/matches_stats/match_reports/story_162253.shtml) is the most tense I've been at a football match in years. The difference between 11 guys playing as a team and 11 poncing show-ponies was never more apparent...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40776000/jpg/_40776158_gill.jpg

Clark Nova

09-08-05, 07:49 AM

I know, I could hardly believe it myself. What was Eriksson doing last night? Putting out a non-match fit Owen and taking Joe Cole out of the starting line up. When Cole came on in the second half he was the most creative player on the pitch for England.

Congrats to you though, Northern Ireland played the game like they wanted to win it whereas England didn't. You deserved the win:)

Piddzilla

09-08-05, 07:53 AM

He he he heee.... I wonder how popular swedes are in England today. ;D But I think Svennis will take care of the show-ponies in the end. He the man!

Meanwhile....

How about Zlatan Ibrahimovic? For as long as I can remember Sweden has never had a striker of absolute international top class who's boasted about being god's gift to swedish football - and actually being able to back it up in practice. Yesterday's amazing and game winning art number against Hungary on injury time did not only bring Sweden a huge step closer to the World Cup 2006 - it was also one of the most beautiful goals I've seen the swedish team do in a long time.

nebbit

09-08-05, 08:09 AM

Not being one to gloat, but I'm going to gloat....

Gloat away :yup:

Tacitus

09-08-05, 08:29 AM

How about Zlatan Ibrahimovic? For as long as I can remember Sweden has never had a striker of absolute international top class who's boasted about being god's gift to swedish football - and actually being able to back it up in practice. Yesterday's amazing and game winning art number against Hungary on injury time did not only bring Sweden a huge step closer to the World Cup 2006 - it was also one of the most beautiful goals I've seen the swedish team do in a long time.

Ibrahimovic seems a darned good player, Chelski's dirty Russian money couldn't persuade Juventus to part with him in the summer. ;)

I'm still basking in the glory (and feeling the hangover) of last night though. I've got Gerry Armstrong's autograph from Spain '82 when we beat the host nation and that day (along with us beating West Germany in '83) was the proudest in our footballing history. Last night may well top it in years to come though. :)

Piddzilla

09-08-05, 09:07 AM

Ibrahimovic seems a darned good player, Chelski's dirty Russian money couldn't persuade Juventus to part with him in the summer. ;)

I'm still basking in the glory (and feeling the hangover) of last night though. I've got Gerry Armstrong's autograph from Spain '82 when we beat the host nation and that day (along with us beating West Germany in '83) was the proudest in our footballing history. Last night may well top it in years to come though. :)

Yeah, Zlatan is king.... We love him over here, and it's great that Juventus believes in him.

We had a great team in USA '94 but I'm starting to believe this one is better. Isaksson, the goalie, is looking better and better for every game and we got a solid midfield and a couple of great strikers. Only thing I'm a little worried about is the defence but at least that is going in the right direction too.

I'm sorry but I don't know too much about the Northern Ireland team but I can imagine that they, like teams like Ireland and Sweden, are more of a team than 11 individualist primadonnas. And it's always fun when the Scots, Northern Irishmen and Walesmen beat the English. ;D But I like England too... I really do.

Now, Spain '82? Surely you mean Italy '82... ;)

Darth Stujitzu

09-08-05, 09:37 AM

Yeah, Zlatan is king.... We love him over here, and it's great that Juventus believes in him.

We had a great team in USA '94 but I'm starting to believe this one is better. Isaksson, the goalie, is looking better and better for every game and we got a solid midfield and a couple of great strikers. Only thing I'm a little worried about is the defence but at least that is going in the right direction too.

I'm sorry but I don't know too much about the Northern Ireland team but I can imagine that they, like teams like Ireland and Sweden, are more of a team than 11 individualist primadonnas. And it's always fun when the Scots, Northern Irishmen and Walesmen beat the English. ;D But I like England too... I really do.

Now, Spain '82? Surely you mean Italy '82... ;)

What about Henrik Larsson? I might be a wee bit biased, but after watching him almost every second week for seven years, in my opinion he is not only a world class striker, but a great team player who sets up as many goals as he scores. Ljundberg was fantastic 2 years ago, but has gone a bit of the boil.
As for last night, what can I say, a perfect night for every Scotsman, not only do we win against Norway away, but our friends over the water beat England!!!
As Lou Reed would say " Such a perfect day...." :laugh:

Piddzilla

09-08-05, 10:05 AM

What about Henrik Larsson? I might be a wee bit biased, but after watching him almost every second week for seven years, in my opinion he is not only a world class striker, but a great team player who sets up as many goals as he scores. Ljundberg was fantastic 2 years ago, but has gone a bit of the boil.
As for last night, what can I say, a perfect night for every Scotsman, not only do we win against Norway away, but our friends over the water beat England!!!
As Lou Reed would say " Such a perfect day...." :laugh:

Oh, Larsson is a legend, sure. His years as a pro, not least with Celtic, and his nation team record proves this. He has had some injury problems during the past six months and isn't yet 100% of his capacity. He is also getting older, we can't deny that. But, I mean, to be contracted by FC Barcelona when everybody is talking about his career being over, and actually doing quite a good job as a dangerous substitute, is nothing but impressive. And when he gets the chance - he always takes it. Then he loves playing with Ibrahimovic and Ibrahimovic loves playing with Larsson.... so, let them play together. ;D

About Ljungberg, I'm not sure if I agree with you that he's left his best times behind. In the qualification rounds he has so far scored 7 goals in 8 games and is always very important for the swedish team. Many consider him to be the key player and perhaps they're right. He scored a magnificent goal on Bulgaria last saturday and he's always working hard, winning the ball and going forward on the midfield and in the penalty area... I think if he will be free from injuries he will do a great season in Arsenal too.

Tacitus

09-08-05, 10:25 AM

Surely you mean Italy '82... ;)

Italy won the competition, yeah, but it was held in Spain.

We had basically the same team in Mexico '86 but they were, of course, 4 years older and the heat in Guadalajara where we were based killed us.

Imagine 11 ageing, poached salmon trying in vain to beat Brazil. In a pressure cooker... ;)

Piddzilla

09-08-05, 10:29 AM

Italy won the competition, yeah, but it was held in Spain.

Of course, you're right. :blush:

We had basically the same team in Mexico '86 but they were, of course, 4 years older and the heat in Guadalajara where we were based killed us.

Imagine 11 ageing, poached salmon trying in vain to beat Brazil. In a pressure cooker... ;)

I'm getting hungry....

Darth Stujitzu

09-08-05, 05:48 PM

Piddzilla

09-08-05, 07:07 PM

Point taken on Ljundberg, I was refering to his form for Arsenal, not as good as when Arsenal went all season unbeaten!
Still a great player, if he was Scottish he could pick where he wanted to play!!!
Zlatan is a superb player, was impressed with him at Ajax, and he seems to be going from strength to strength.
Will of course always support Sweden as long as they're not playing Scotland, especially in the World Cup, where Scotland always seem to be the first home!
Actually will support anyone who's playing England. :laugh: :yup:

Yeah, Scotland has a good reputation here in Sweden as well. In the european championships in '92 held in Sweden the press were amazed how polite and cheerful the scottish fans were compared to the english hooligans. And I think Sweden and Scotland have a habit of ending up in same group, don't we? I think I recall a couple of occasions anyway....

The rivalry between England and Scotland (and Wales... and Northern Ireland... and Ireland) reminds me of the rivalry between Sweden and Denmark. But we usually support Denmark when Sweden is out.... Or it used to be like that. Recently the relationship between us has been a bit tense. As long as not Norway ends up better than Sweden.... :D

Tacitus

09-26-05, 08:39 AM

Piddzilla

09-26-05, 09:09 AM

Gaelic Football....now there's a game.

I wish I was at Croker yesterday but couldn't get a ticket for love nor money. Still, we're champions (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/4281008.stm) again. :D

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40840000/jpg/_40840008_dooher_cup_270.jpg

Congratulations!!

I watched very little gaelic football on tv during my time in Dublin. I remember one time I thought "What the hell is the matter with this guy? Does he have a cold or something?" about the commentator. Then I realized he was speaking irish. :dizzy:

I checked out the team rosters from the game. Is it a coincident that the Tyrone players have mostly scottish sounding name while the Kerry players' names sound more irish? Or don't they?

Tacitus

09-26-05, 09:34 AM

I checked out the team rosters from the game. Is it a coincident that the Tyrone players have mostly scottish sounding name while the Kerry players' names sound more irish? Or don't they?

Hehehe the McGuigans, the McMenamins, Cavanaghs, Doohers and O'Neills might beg to differ. :D

The Kerry guys live in the Gaeltacht, the area of the country where Irish is most widely spoken (also known as 'that bit in the bottom left corner') so Ó Sé would be spelled O'Shea in other areas of the island.

Tyrone, being in the North, would have a certain amount of Ulster-Scots descendants though nowhere near as much as Antrim, North Down and parts of County Derry (the costal counties).

We've got just as many Native Mcs and Macs as the Jocks. :)

Darth Stujitzu

09-26-05, 05:25 PM

Ah the elusive ginger hair gene, god damn those pesky Jocks!!!
D'OH!

Piddzilla

09-26-05, 06:26 PM

Hehehe the McGuigans, the McMenamins, Cavanaghs, Doohers and O'Neills might beg to differ. :D

The Kerry guys live in the Gaeltacht, the area of the country where Irish is most widely spoken (also known as 'that bit in the bottom left corner') so Ó Sé would be spelled O'Shea in other areas of the island.

Tyrone, being in the North, would have a certain amount of Ulster-Scots descendants though nowhere near as much as Antrim, North Down and parts of County Derry (the costal counties).

We've got just as many Native Mcs and Macs as the Jocks. :)

I see. I thought that had something to do with it. I think it's really interesting that you can actually figure out from what part of the island a guy comes from by looking at the name. But then again... In some way, it's like that in Sweden too. Way up north it's a lot more common with finnish sounding names, and I guess here down in the south danish sounding names are more common. But to actually be able to locate a football team by looking at the roster... that's pretty amazing. Those guys must have some really strong bonds to their homegrounds. Or maybe it's typical for gaelic sports like gaelic football and hurling... You're practically born into one team and one team only.

Golgot

09-26-05, 06:29 PM

Ah the elusive ginger hair gene, god damn those pesky Jocks!!!
D'OH!

Are you suggesting Nicole Kidman is a secret Scot?

But on a more on-topic off-topic-note...

Yay, Spurs go 4th in the premiership, despite being as magnificently mediocre as always :) (if not more so ;))

[Incidently, i swear i posted a cheerful agreement with Tac's recent 'show-ponies' assessment of England. Has it been removed on rascist grounds? Or was i just so drunk i didn't press the post button? :)]

I've got a bad feeling i know the answer to that...

Tacitus

09-26-05, 07:19 PM

Those guys must have some really strong bonds to their homegrounds. Or maybe it's typical for gaelic sports like gaelic football and hurling... You're practically born into one team and one team only.

Because Gaelic games are still amateur sports, if you're good enough you'll play for the County of your birth - no such thing as transfers. ;)

GG: Your post (which I remember, I think...) might have been a victim of the changeover, ie everything got fluxed up...

Darth Stujitzu

09-26-05, 07:25 PM

Are you suggesting Nicole Kidman is a secret Scot?

I've got a bad feeling i know the answer to that...

Well Scotland did send all it's ginger-haired convicts over there a while ago!!!
" Far and Away " perhaps Nicole was returning to her roots!
Naw, Ireland can have her, she's not my type :nope: :laugh:

Only on Mofo can we go from footie to Nicole Kidman in one post!!!

Golgot

09-26-05, 07:41 PM

Because Gaelic games are still amateur sports, if you're good enough you'll play for the County of your birth - no such thing as transfers. ;)

Ah man, i used to love it when they showed gaelic football and hurling on channel 4. You never knew if they were gonna score a goal, a conversion, or a direct smack to the head ;). It was edge of the turf stuff :yup:

GG: Your post (which I remember, I think...) might have been a victim of the changeover, ie everything got fluxed up...

Damn that flux! (i found a right good pic of Healy's goal too...)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40776000/jpg/_40776078_davidhealy203.jpg

Only on Mofo can we go from footie to Nicole Kidman in one post!!!

I think Healy's doing some bullet-time stuff there n'all

And if you look closely, he's got a small ginger patch in the middle of his head ;)

Tacitus

09-26-05, 07:57 PM

Healy's 'inner ging' has been the talk of Elland Road for a couple of seasons now. I find it strange that one of the low-rent Premiership ('yer Portsmouths or 'yer Sunderlands) sides haven't taken a punt on him yet. He's scoring a goal every two games at international level - and that's no mean feat when you consider the scraps he's got to feed on...

Darth Stujitzu

09-26-05, 10:12 PM

The real test would be if he could sign for Scotland!!!
Can't complain, Kenny Fatboy Miller has done well recently, but before the last couple of games we couldn't score a goal to the extent Virgin were going to start sponsoring the national team! ( it's an old joke, but very apt for Scotland! )
Still it was great to see England humbled, probably one of my footie highlights of the year so far, hey, I'm easily pleased.

Kesson_Daslef

09-28-05, 03:28 AM

I don't really have a favorite NFL team but in college football I like the Texas Longhorns.

Kesson_Daslef

09-28-05, 07:43 AM

I don't really have a favorite NFL team but in college football I like the Texas Longhorns.

Tacitus

09-28-05, 07:50 AM

And if you look closely, he's got a small ginger patch in the middle of his head ;)

I've been looking at the picture and think it's an optical illusion - Beckham's suntan is reflecting off Healy's small bald patch.... ;)

Golgot

09-28-05, 04:28 PM

I've been looking at the picture and think it's an optical illusion - Beckham's suntan is reflecting off Healy's small bald patch.... ;)

Once Becks starts selling his suntan by the bottle, we'll all be bathing in his glory :rolleyes:. Fans will need to buy specially designed sunglasses just to handle the glare from the pitch. ;)

Darth Stujitzu

09-28-05, 04:33 PM

Maybe it's the reflection off his golden-balls!!!

Golgot

09-28-05, 04:38 PM

Maybe it's the reflection off his golden-balls!!!

Nah. They're gone rusty ;).

Tacitus

09-28-05, 05:43 PM

Once Becks starts selling his suntan by the bottle, we'll all be bathing in his glory :rolleyes:. Fans will need to buy specially designed sunglasses just to handle the glare from the pitch. ;)

Big Norman Whiteside keeps his knee cartilage in a glass jar so I guess anything's possible...

Golgot

09-28-05, 10:41 PM

Big Norman Whiteside keeps his knee cartilage in a glass jar so I guess anything's possible...

Ewww. I'm not buying that!

(Although i reckon Beckham's marketing men could sell it ;))

7thson

09-29-05, 03:33 PM

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wait wrong thread

Tacitus

10-09-05, 09:30 AM

After the heady victories against the mighty Azerbaijan and plucky minnows England we couldn't string 3 wins together and slumped 2:3 to Wales.

Not to say that it wasn't a good performance though, if you forget 20 minutes in the first half, and our manager Lawrie Sanchez (Irish mother, Mexican father....English accent) managed to do something which Mr Eriksson seems unable: inspire his team during half time.

Still, England are through thanks to Holland's victory in The Czech Republic so there's time for their boss to do some rebuilding. ;)

Fantastic atmosphere at Windsor Park yesterday once more. If only the sectarian scum stayed home during Linfield matches too.....

Piddzilla

10-09-05, 01:28 PM

Darth Stujitzu

10-10-05, 08:00 PM

adidasss

10-10-05, 08:38 PM

Man... The game last night (Croatia vs. Sweden) was such a farce. It looked like a 0-0 history and Sweden played really smart against the croatians (who, I must admit, were the better team). But correct me if I'm wrong but.. If you're the team captain, defender, professional club player and national team player... Shouldn't you be aware of that it is NOT allowed to touch the ball with your hand? What the hell was Olof Mellberg thinking.... Man... Well, it looks like we're practically off to Germany anyway. I think we can lose to Iceland on wednesday with 3-4 goals while Czech Republic have to beat Finland with 5-6 goals for the czechs to beat us as one of the best number 2s. But for the moral and the team spirit and a lot of other REALLY important things, it would have been nice to finish as group champions. Oh well....
*cough* em....you got yer asses kicked once again.....em....not that i'm trying to rub it in or anything....:)
GO CROATIAAAAAA!!!!!!!
and darth, croatia has qualified and will probably be the first in the group and scotland.....the same amount of people, very similar leagues, much more money invested into scotish football....not that i'm trying to rub it in or anything... :D
you can root for us....like you did last summer.....*stabs knife deeper*...:)

Piddzilla

10-11-05, 05:36 AM

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Another glorious failure, and yet another World Cup without Scotland being on the first plane home!
Sometimes it's hard to be a Scotsman, giving all your love to just one team,..........stand by your team.........

Well I guess I'll just have to support Brazil and Portugal next summer, as well as all of England's opponents!!!

I'm sorry for you, Darth! But that's the beauty of the World Cup - even if your team's not represented, you'll still have an amazing tournament to enjoy. And that's no bad teams you're supporting there... I have always loved Brazil and Portugal is something of a favourite since recent years.

*cough* em....you got yer asses kicked once again.....em....not that i'm trying to rub it in or anything....:)
GO CROATIAAAAAA!!!!!!!
and darth, croatia has qualified and will probably be the first in the group and scotland.....the same amount of people, very similar leagues, much more money invested into scotish football....not that i'm trying to rub it in or anything... :D
you can root for us....like you did last summer.....*stabs knife deeper*...:)

:furious: Well, you just wait! I hope Sweden and Croatia ends up in the same group in the championships as well so Zlatan can score a hat trick on your ass! ;D And you were literally handed the victory (get it?) by Mellberg. (At least we didn't lose any points against MALTA!!!)....

:D

Tea Barking

10-11-05, 01:01 PM

:
Well I guess I'll just have to support Brazil and Portugal next summer, as well as all of England's opponents!!!

Why do you wish england to lose? The scots invented haggis and golf isn't that punishment enough :p

Darth Stujitzu

10-11-05, 01:12 PM

Why do you wish england to lose? The scots invented haggis and golf isn't that punishment enough :p

Might have something to do with the English raping, looting and piliging our country for several centuries! :eek:

More likely it's just football rivalry pure and simple, plus we'd never hear the end of it if Engerlund win the World Cup, it's bad enough that next year is the 40th anniversary of England's most famous and over mentioned victory, but the English media would be unbearable if Golden Bollocks and co get their hands on the trophy!!!

Hopefully David James will be in goal, and we won't have to worry too much! :laugh:
And we thought Scottish goalies were bad.

adidasss

10-11-05, 04:59 PM

I'm sorry for you, Darth! But that's the beauty of the World Cup - even if your team's not represented, you'll still have an amazing tournament to enjoy. And that's no bad teams you're supporting there... I have always loved Brazil and Portugal is something of a favourite since recent years.

:furious: Well, you just wait! I hope Sweden and Croatia ends up in the same group in the championships as well so Zlatan can score a hat trick on your ass! ;D And you were literally handed the victory (get it?) by Mellberg. (At least we didn't lose any points against MALTA!!!)....

:D
look at it this way, you lost, LOST!!....twice,TWICE!!, to a team that drew a draw with Malta....MALTA FOR CHRIST SAKE!!.....that makes you even bigger losers then us my friend...and you know as well as i do that if we were to meet again in the world cup we would kick yer asses again and again and again.... :D :cool: :D
besides, ibrahimovich is my hommie, he wouldn't dare to score against his fatherland.... :D ( he vacations in my little village...hey, maybe i'll wait infront of his house this summer and brake his legs? )

Piddzilla

10-11-05, 05:59 PM

look at it this way, you lost, LOST!!....twice,TWICE!!, to a team that drew a draw with Malta....MALTA FOR CHRIST SAKE!!.....that makes you even bigger losers then us my friend...and you know as well as i do that if we were to meet again in the world cup we would kick yer asses again and again and again.... :D :cool: :D
besides, ibrahimovich is my hommie, he wouldn't dare to score against his fatherland.... :D ( he vacations in my little village...hey, maybe i'll wait infront of his house this summer and brake his legs? )

Eh.. okay..

I was going to counter that assault regarding Malta with the fact that Croatia are higher ranked than Sweden. But it turns out Sweden is at number 10 on FIFA's ranking and Croatia at number 24. :skeptical: I was sure Croatia ranked higher than Sweden...
So ok, you're right. You suck and we rule so we should've won easily. You were lucky.... ;)

Btw, Zlatan's parents are bosnians.

adidasss

10-11-05, 08:30 PM

wrong shuga, one of them is croatian, and isn't it even more embaressing to be beaten TWICE by a team that's ranked so much lower? no draws, no wins, 2.....losses......ouch.....;)

adidasss

10-11-05, 08:46 PM

but let's expand this croatian-swedish rivalry, let's see....ivanisevich beat edbergs ass on numerous occasions, and we are repeatedly wiping the floor with you in handball.....i like sweden....do you people play basketball?;)

Piddzilla

10-12-05, 07:11 AM

wrong shuga, one of them is croatian, and isn't it even more embaressing to be beaten TWICE by a team that's ranked so much lower? no draws, no wins, 2.....losses......ouch.....;)

His mom is bosnian and his dad is bosnian croat and Zlatan himself was born in Sweden.

And, yes, it is embarassing to be beaten by an inferior team, absolutely. Let's just hope that Hungary beats you tonight to reinstall order.... ;)

but let's expand this croatian-swedish rivalry, let's see....ivanisevich beat edbergs ass on numerous occasions, and we are repeatedly wiping the floor with you in handball.....i like sweden....do you people play basketball?;)

I'm sure some of us do. I know I did for a while. Sweden is worthless when it comes to basketball, no doubt about that... But I'm sure both Edberg and the handball team collected a few victories towards croatians during their golden years...

Darth Stujitzu

10-12-05, 07:25 AM

And I thought the rivalry between Scotland and England was bad!!!

Tacitus

10-12-05, 08:08 AM

Here's a couple of links to the fantastic Irish footie site Dangerhere, which seems to be going through some server changes right now...

The main site (http://www.dangerhere.com/)

And for those of you who would like information on well-known football pundit, former Man Ewe manager and part-time racist 'Big' Ron Atkinson, click here (http://www.dangerhere.com/ronglish.htm). ;)

EDIT - Probably my favourite bit of commentating from George Hamilton:

"Real Madrid are like a rabbit in the glare of the headlights in the face of Manchester United's attacks. But this rabbit comes with a suit of armour in the shape of two precious away goals."

Tea Barking

10-12-05, 02:11 PM

And I thought the rivalry between Scotland and England was bad!!!

Well on the enlglish part there is no rivalry, the english like scotland to do well, losers like company maybe :D

Darth Stujitzu

10-12-05, 03:04 PM

Well on the enlglish part there is no rivalry, the english like scotland to do well, :confused: :nope: :suspicious: :skeptical: :drevil: :dizzy:

Not my experience that English fans have a fondness for Scotland or their teams, don't mind the rivalry if it's friendly and the banter's good.
However, can't ever see a day when I'm rooting for England, even if they are playing Outer Mongolia at tiddlewinks, I'm still 100% behind their opponents, you can take the boy out of Scotland.......

adidasss

10-12-05, 03:55 PM

And I thought the rivalry between Scotland and England was bad!!!
this is just friendly teasing....scotissh-english rivalry? try Croatian-Serbian or Serbian-Bosnian rivalry....the bosnians are playing serbia tonight and they have to win to go to the playoff's for the world cup.....bosnia is probably the only country in the world who's citizens are going to Belgrade to root for the other team ( they're called bosnian serbs )....our rivalries can only be matched by Pakistan playing against India or the PLO playing against Izrael.....

adidasss

10-12-05, 04:53 PM

well, 0:0 with Hungary....we're still first, congrats to Sweden for qualifying too, it would have been a shame if you hadn't...

Phoenix4ever

10-12-05, 05:00 PM

giants going all the way to the super bowl

adidasss

10-12-05, 05:11 PM

you're thinking american rugby....

Piddzilla

10-12-05, 05:36 PM

well, 0:0 with Hungary....we're still first, congrats to Sweden for qualifying too, it would have been a shame if you hadn't...

And congrats to you as well. You beat us twice so you deserve the group win.

It's about 8 months to the World Cup... I am allready excited.

adidasss

10-12-05, 06:39 PM

me too....the adrenalin rush you get when you watch your team play in the world cup is amazing...hope we do better then in the Euro...

7thson

10-12-05, 07:15 PM

GO STEELERS!!!!
:)

Piddzilla

10-13-05, 06:23 AM

me too....the adrenalin rush you get when you watch your team play in the world cup is amazing...hope we do better then in the Euro...

I have realized that my enjoyment of the World Cup is more relaxed when your own country isn't represented. But I take the torment and the anguish over pleasant and harmless entertainment any day. :D

Sidenote: I can't really understand the criticism that Mr Eriksson has received in British media and elsewhere recently. England won the group and the advancement to the cup has been pretty much in the bag for a while now, hasn't it. Englishmen are spoiled crybabies.... :p STAND BY YOUR CAPTAIN!!! (especially when he's swedish...)

GO STEELERS!!!!
:)

Yes, go away Steelers!! ;)

Tacitus

10-13-05, 10:35 AM

Sidenote: I can't really understand the criticism that Mr Eriksson has received in British media and elsewhere recently. England won the group and the advancement to the cup has been pretty much in the bag for a while now, hasn't it. Englishmen are spoiled crybabies.... :p STAND BY YOUR CAPTAIN!!! (especially when he's swedish...)

I think it all boils down to the Great British Press. They don't like Eriksson, chiefly because he gets paid more than they do and shags better looking women. He's also extremely clever at saying a lot but actually saying nothing at all in press conferences - hence no copy for the back page.

The new tag they're giving him is 'emotionless' when a few years ago they were lauding Sven for being 'cool under pressure' and slagging off Keggy Keegle's touchline hysterics and belief that spirit alone would win you games.

Sadly some people believe what they read in the papers.

I personally don't think he's a great manager - he's certainly placing far too much faith in fitting your 11 best players into a system rather than finding the 11 best players to fit that system. It was shown last night with Gerrard's injury allowing a holding midfielder to play alongside Lampard - Lampard had the freedom to play as he does for Chelski safe in the knowledge that there was a guy behind him waiting to tidy up. The real test will be when Gerrard is fit: will he be ordered to sit back (the Liverpool man, after all, started his career as a holding midfielder who has been pushed further and further forward to compensate for his club's inadequacies) or will a recognised defensive midfielder be drafted in at the expense of one of his 'square pegs'?

Remember England, Sam Allerdyce has expressed an interest in the job. Be afraid...

I'm still living in a 1982 Gerry Armstrong/Pat Jennings dreamland though. :)

7thson

10-13-05, 11:58 AM

Yes, go away Steelers!! ;)

Boooo..:D

Piddzilla

10-13-05, 05:55 PM

I think it all boils down to the Great British Press. They don't like Eriksson, chiefly because he gets paid more than they do and shags better looking women. He's also extremely clever at saying a lot but actually saying nothing at all in press conferences - hence no copy for the back page.

That's oh so true. They're sick of him, that's it.

The new tag they're giving him is 'emotionless' when a few years ago they were lauding Sven for being 'cool under pressure' and slagging off Keggy Keegle's touchline hysterics and belief that spirit alone would win you games.

He is cool and I've seen him in some interviews a bit more personal and he's actually a really confident and relaxed guy not without a sense of humor. I couldn't understand why all those women fell for him before, but I did a little better after that interview. (Oh Svennis! :love: )

I personally don't think he's a great manager - he's certainly placing far too much faith in fitting your 11 best players into a system rather than finding the 11 best players to fit that system. It was shown last night with Gerrard's injury allowing a holding midfielder to play alongside Lampard - Lampard had the freedom to play as he does for Chelski safe in the knowledge that there was a guy behind him waiting to tidy up. The real test will be when Gerrard is fit: will he be ordered to sit back (the Liverpool man, after all, started his career as a holding midfielder who has been pushed further and further forward to compensate for his club's inadequacies) or will a recognised defensive midfielder be drafted in at the expense of one of his 'square pegs'?

Interesting points. I don't follow the english team that close so I can't really argue with you. Looking at his merits though I would argue that Eriksson is a great manager. His problems with England is that he can't buy what he needs as he could do as manager of, say, Lazio. I'm sure he can figure out where the problems are and what to do about them, but does he have what is needed to fix them? England is one of those countries who actually think that they are eternal world champions (like Italy, Brazil, Germany.... you know...). But looking at the player material it is pretty obvious that they aren't as good as England think (not saying that they're bad at all though - on the contrary). So I think Eriksson is doing what can be expected of him when he takes the team to the World Cup as group winners.

But it's never good to have the same manager too long, even if the cooperation is successful. I think Svennis perhaps should at least think about stepping down after the World Cup. Even if I don't think he is the problem, if there is a problem, a new manager always brings a fresh wind of optimism with him when he begins a new job (hopefully).

Darth Stujitzu

10-13-05, 06:19 PM

IMO only winning the World Cup will keep Sven in the England job.
The english media go into every tournament with the opinion that England only have to turn up to win it, where they get this attitude from I'll never know, they haven't won anything in 40 years. England always have great individual players, but they have never had a great team, there is always a scapegoat, Seaman, Waddle, Pearce etc.
The other thing the english media is guilty of is having the belief that anyone who pulls on an England jersey is world class, when was the last time one of them won footballer of the year? Beckham is the classic example, he is the most over-rated player in the world, Real Madrid have won nothing since he joined, and IMO Lampard and Gerrard are better players.
Perhaps if the english media didn't have such a condescending attitude, they wouldn't constantly be left with egg on their face, and more people would be more supportive of England ( with the obvious exception of the Celtic nations! )
There are better managers than Sven, but are any of them English, I would love to see Alardyce as England manager, Mike Bassett anyone?
If Sven win's the World cup his popularity will soar, but he will never be able to set foot in Scotland again!!! :laugh:

Tacitus

10-13-05, 06:20 PM

One of the valid criticisms levelled against Sven was his lack of a plan B when things are going wrong - for instance, against 10-man Brazil at the last World Cup and Portugal at the Euros. Substitutions always seemed to replace like with like. To his credit he's now experimenting with formation, although it remains to be seen if the 12 foot tall Peter Crouch can cut it at this level.

I agree with you about the club thing though, where the only barrier to an ideal squad is money. Interestingly the cost in transfers of the entire N Ireland team which turned them over a few weeks back wouldn't be enough to cover Beckham's hairdressing bill - we had a guy called into the squad who works as a postman and wasn't allowed to take time off! :D

Darth Stujitzu

10-13-05, 06:26 PM

Does that mean he was posted missing!!! :laugh:
What's his delivery like, always late if he works for the post office!!!
Is his first name Pat?

Piddzilla

10-13-05, 06:35 PM

The english media go into every tournament with the opinion that England only have to turn up to win it,
The other thing the english media is guilty of is having the belief that anyone who pulls on an England jersey is world class,

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

As I said, there are a couple of nations that have this attitude but England, imo, is the country in this crowd where this attitude is the least understandable. Brazil is really the only country that rightfully can consider a 2nd place in the World Cup as a failure.

Frankly, I think Sweden has about the same chance as England of winning the Cup and I would say that anything better than a semi final for Sweden's part is completely impossible.

Anyway, I hope I'm not offending any Englishmen around here. I actually like english football quite a lot since I grew up with it. (I watched it on TV every saturday as a kid together with my sleeping dad). I just think the expectations on the team and some of the criticism of the coach are silly...

Moving on... Who wins the cup? Brazil and Argentina looks really dangerous. The Netherlands appear to have a fantastic team. Mexico might be the big surprise next year. And how come Germany always, always goes far even when they suck??

Darth Stujitzu

10-13-05, 07:02 PM

Just been watching Brazil on tv, they look the team to beat next summer.
The only problem I can see for Brazil is their over eagerness to attack all the time might leave their defence vunerable.
Italy too will do well, especially with their defence.
I would like to see Portugal and Spain do well, as they always flatter to decieve in big tournaments.
Dark horses, for me, Sweden, Croatia, Poland and Japan will probably surprise a few people, but perhaps the quater finals will be the final hurdle for at least one of these teams.
Germany too will probably play some part, especially with home advantage, but they are not the force they once were.
I will be supporting Brazil, Portugal, as always, Sweden, Poland and Japan for their links to Celtic, and will watch out for Spain and Italy as well due to the many Spanish and Italian friends I have.
If there is a God, England won't win it, perhaps his hand can play a part again, oh yeah what about Argentina, quater finals maybe?

Tacitus

10-13-05, 07:04 PM

Moving on... Who wins the cup? Brazil and Argentina looks really dangerous. The Netherlands appear to have a fantastic team. Mexico might be the big surprise next year. And how come Germany always, always goes far even when they suck??

I can't see further than Brazil or Argentina either. The Brazilian front line looks awsome, with Ronaldo not even assured of starting, so even with Roque Junior at the back they should overpower most teams. Only one South American side has ever won the trophy in Europe though....oh yes, that was Brazil. :D

Germany have home advantage so that alone should see them through to the Quarters and the French have a decent team. Italy look solid, but not much more and the Dutch have always had excellent players who've recently let individual ego get in the way of team performances. Portugal? nah, and the one-hit wonders of Greece (geddit???) didn't even qualify.

The Czechs have an aging team and aren't through the playoffs yet, same with Spain.

More concerned with Glentoran beating Armagh on Saturday though. I'll be there. :)

Tacitus

10-13-05, 07:06 PM

If there is a God, England won't win it

Didn't I read somewhere where you said you were a Man U fan? :)

Darth Stujitzu

10-13-05, 07:11 PM

Didn't I read somewhere where you said you were a Man U fan? :)

Aye, and they're managed by one of the " master-race " to quote old Fergie!!!

Don't think Man U will win the World Cup though, not through lack of trying on Fergie's part. ( Maybe Chelsea will buy it for them as a good will gesture! )

Zut Alors, can't believe I forgot to mention France and Holland, then again, both have been fairly ropey in recent tournaments!!!

Tacitus

10-13-05, 07:23 PM

Aye, and they're managed by one of the " master-race " to quote old Fergie!!!

Don't think Man U will win the World Cup though, not through lack of trying on Fergie's part. ( Maybe Chelsea will buy it for them as a good will gesture! )

Zut Alors, can't believe I forgot to mention France and Holland, then again, both have been fairly ropey in recent tournaments!!!

I don't get it then: cheering for an English club side while despising Rooney, Rio, The Neviller etc when they play for their Country? I'd understand it a bit more if they were Englishmen playing for a Scottish side. :)

Scots managers have always done well in England though - Sir Red Face, George Graham, Busby, Shankley and latterly Moyes (every other season, it seems) at Everton.

Has WGS settled in at Celtic yet? The one sad thing (apart from the result) from my last trip to Windsor Park was Hartson getting booed by the resident knuckle-draggers. No wonder Neil Lennon gave up...

Darth Stujitzu

10-13-05, 07:43 PM

Has WGS settled in at Celtic yet? The one sad thing (apart from the result) from my last trip to Windsor Park was Hartson getting booed by the resident knuckle-draggers. No wonder Neil Lennon gave up...

Wasn't Hartson booed for eating all the half-time pies? :laugh:
I support Man U, I also support Barcelona, Juventus and PSG. It's just the England national team I don't like, I don't hate many players, not even Rangers' players, but no matter who, even Alan Thompson (one cap), as soon as they pull on that England top, they will never get my support!!!
I'm old school Scottish, still rankles with me that Rangers' fans wear England tops!

Tacitus

10-13-05, 07:57 PM

Wasn't Hartson booed for eating all the half-time pies? :laugh:
I support Man U, I also support Barcelona, Juventus and PSG. It's just the England national team I don't like, I don't hate many players, not even Rangers' players, but no matter who, even Alan Thompson (one cap), as soon as they pull on that England top, they will never get my support!!!
I'm old school Scottish, still rankles with me that Rangers' fans wear England tops!

I'm only messin' with you bud. :)

Linfield fans wear Rangers tops here and there are a few hard line Republicans who were supporting England at Windsor Park (they're gonna love it when our new National stadium gets built - on the site of the Maze prison). Leave football out of politics...or summat. ;)

I'm even seeing a few Chelski shirts in town.....now that's sad.

nebbit

10-14-05, 09:04 PM

http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/16.gif

Tacitus

10-15-05, 05:32 AM

http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/16.gif

People said the little guy was a dirty player, but me? I say he's 'armelss... :)

Piddzilla

10-15-05, 08:03 AM

People said the little guy was a dirty player, but me? I say he's 'armelss... :)

Direct him to Minion's attention. The word is that he's started some charity for armless kids.

nebbit

10-16-05, 05:33 AM

Here is his friend the legless one http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/21.gif

Tacitus

10-16-05, 08:10 AM

Here is his friend the legless one http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/21.gif

A legless footballer? No Georgie Best jokes please.... ;)

http://www.wembleystadium.com/NR/rdonlyres/3DEE189D-CED3-4109-A142-5166DFE72833/45008/GeorgeBest158x158.jpg

nebbit

11-16-05, 08:07 PM

Australia has made it into the World Cup http://bestsmileys.com/bouncing/5.gif http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/18.gif http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/19.gif

darkhorse

11-16-05, 08:14 PM

Australia has made it into the World Cup
Heh... of course, in the US, nobody really cares... soccer is largely a woman's sport here!

Piddzilla

11-16-05, 08:34 PM

Australia has made it into the World Cup http://bestsmileys.com/bouncing/5.gif http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/18.gif http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/19.gif

Yeah, I slept to the game earlier today. Congrats! The goalie is the hero, right?

nebbit

11-17-05, 07:19 AM

Yeah, I slept to the game earlier today. Congrats! The goalie is the hero, right?

I don't know, could be, that is how much i know, :dizzy: I saw the last 10 minutes, it was exciting. :yup:

Tacitus

11-17-05, 07:27 AM

I don't know, could be, that is how much i know, :dizzy: I saw the last 10 minutes, it was exciting. :yup:

Congratulations to the Aussies!

Is Frank Farina still your coach? I can remember getting Holdened here by mixing his name up with Dennis Farina... :D

http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_04_dennisfarina.jpg

nebbit

11-17-05, 07:39 AM

Congratulations to the Aussies!

Is Frank Farina still your coach? I can remember getting Holdened here by mixing his name up with Dennis Farina... :D

http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_04_dennisfarina.jpg

It is a guy called Guus Hidddink. :D

Tacitus

11-17-05, 07:52 AM

It is a guy called Guus Hidddink. :D

Ahhh yeah, so it is. I'd forgotten! He's a good coach who did extremely well with S Korea at the last World Cup so you're in safe hands. :)

nebbit

11-17-05, 08:06 AM

Ahhh yeah, so it is. I'd forgotten! He's a good coach who did extremely well with S Korea at the last World Cup so you're in safe hands. :)

Everyone is going crazy here, the last time we got into the world cup was I think 1974 :eek:

Tacitus

11-17-05, 08:15 AM

Everyone is going crazy here, the last time we got into the world cup was I think 1974 :eek:

You've certainly got a decent crop of players but the problem in recent years is that most of them play their club football in Europe and their employers were reluctant to release them for Friendly matches, travel half way across the world and possibly pick up an injury. Getting the best team playing together on a regular basis was difficult.

I think they changed your qualifying group too - seem to remember the winners of the Oceania group had to play off against a South American side, which would have made it even more difficult. ;)

Darth Stujitzu

11-17-05, 08:16 AM

Heh... of course, in the US, nobody really cares... soccer is largely a woman's sport here!

Also the only country in the world that calls it soccer!!!!
Football in the states involves your hands, but hey go figure!!
Congrats Nebbit, big Mark Viduka used to play in Scotland, so good luck next year
:)

Tea Barking

11-17-05, 01:28 PM

America is no good at sport's unless they wear a full suit of armour :D
Well done australia! England aussie final then :p

nebbit

11-17-05, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the support guys, If my mother was alive she would be ecstatic, she was a big football fan or should i say a sports fanatic :yup:
http://bestsmileys.com/sports2/21.gif

Piddzilla

11-17-05, 07:18 PM

I don't know, could be, that is how much i know, :dizzy: I saw the last 10 minutes, it was exciting. :yup:

Well then Nebblett... Then you must have noticed that the goalie beautifully saved two penalties in the shoot out. ;)

I think they changed your qualifying group too - seem to remember the winners of the Oceania group had to play off against a South American side, which would have made it even more difficult. ;)

But they knocked out Uruguay, didn't they? :confused:

I'm really excited about the drawing of the groups on December 1st. I know that Sweden probably will be in seeding group 2. I wonder who'll be in groups 1, 3 and 4. But no matter what you never can tell what will happen in the cup regardless of what the group will look like. I remember in 2002 when Sweden ended up together with Argentina, England and Nigeria and still made it to the 1/8 fínals.

nebbit

11-17-05, 11:16 PM

Well then Nebblett... Then you must have noticed that the goalie beautifully saved two penalties in the shoot out. ;)

Um Er I have a confession to make, :eek: I didn't really see it, :blush: because i was listening to it on the Radio while i was taking my makeup off :blush:

Piddzilla

11-18-05, 06:45 AM

Um Er I have a confession to make, :eek: I didn't really see it, :blush: because i was listening to it on the Radio while i was taking my makeup off :blush:

Girls.... Makeup and ponies... That's all they ever think of.... :p

Tacitus

11-18-05, 06:59 AM

But they knocked out Uruguay, didn't they? :confused:

:D I saw that when I read a match report...

Maybe FIFA changed it so that they had to play-off against a South American team....I'm sure something happened to Australia's qualifying group.

Or did I dream it?

Piddzilla

11-18-05, 12:20 PM

:D I saw that when I read a match report...

Maybe FIFA changed it so that they had to play-off against a South American team....I'm sure something happened to Australia's qualifying group.

Or did I dream it?

Hmmm... I dunno... Seems like Australia has been having an awful lot of trouble reaching the cup since they haven't been there for 32 years, so I would guess they've had to meet a South American most of the times at least.

I think Australia might be dangerous in the World Cup. They seem to have a pretty good team and Uruguay do have a couple of fantastic stars in their squad and those who actually know said that Australia was the better team. I was sleeping so I wouldn't know.... :D But the saves that goalie made were spectacular. :yup:

What team will you be rooting for in the cup, Dave?

Piddzilla

11-18-05, 01:06 PM

Here are the teams who have qualified for the World Cup in Germany 2006. I've listed them in (FIFA's) ranking order followed by my own pretty sloppy top 10 ranking and a couple of darkhorses ;D :

Brazil World rank: 1, Piddy's rank: 1
Netherlands World rank: 2, Piddy's rank: 3
Czech Republic World rank: 3, Piddy's rank: 10
Argentina World rank: 4, Piddy's rank: 2
France World rank: 5, Piddy's rank: 8
Mexico World rank: 6, Piddy's rank: 6
USA World rank: 7 DARKHORSE
Spain World rank: 8, Piddy's rank: 4
England World rank: 9
Portugal World rank: 9
Italy World rank: 12, Piddy's rank: 7
Sweden World rank: 13, Piddy's rank: 9
Germany World rank: 15, Piddy's rank: 5
Japan World rank: 16
Croatia World rank: 19 DARKHORSE
Costa Rica World rank: 20
Iran World rank: 21
Poland World rank: 23
Tunisia World rank: 27
Korea Republic World rank: 29
Saudi Arabia World rank: 31
Paraguay World rank: 33
Ecuador World rank: 36
Switzerland World rank: 38
Ukraine World rank: 39
Serbia and Montenegro World rank: 42
Côte d'Ivoire World rank: 48
Togo World rank: 49
Ghana World rank: 51
Trinidad and Tobago World rank: 53
Australia World rank: 54
Angola World rank: 60

nebbit

11-18-05, 06:34 PM

Hmmm... I dunno... Seems like Australia has been having an awful lot of trouble reaching the cup since they haven't been there for 32 years, so I would guess they've had to meet a South American most of the times at least.

That is why, South American teams live and breathe Footy, In Australia it comes way down the pecking order of sport. Just to be in it is a great thing. :yup:

Piddzilla

11-18-05, 08:30 PM

That is why, South American teams live and breathe Footy, In Australia it comes way down the pecking order of sport. Just to be in it is a great thing. :yup:

Right. I do think that FIFA's ranking is a bit unfair though. Australia is probably better than 54 and there's lots of other countries that are ranked weird. But FIFA takes a lot of things in consideration and number of World Cups the country has qualified for is one such thing.

My own ranking is not the top ten best teams in the world but ten teams with pretty good chances to go far in the cup. Sweden, for instance, I am very well aware of that we're not among the ten best nations in the world. But I got to believe, and I DO believe, that we can be force to count on in Germany. Why? Because Zlatan says so. ;D

Darth Stujitzu

11-18-05, 08:55 PM

That and perhaps a Swedish player who used to play for my team coming out of international retirement!!!
Sweden have a good chance next year, I think Fifa's ratings are pants!!!
Can't wait, and although Scotland won't be there again, there are still plenty of teams I will support ( especially those playing against England !!!! It's the 40th anniversary of their only tournament win, expect to be bored rigid by the constant references throughout the world cup commentary! )
My money's on Brazil, but anything can happen.

Piddzilla

11-18-05, 09:22 PM

That and perhaps a Swedish player who used to play for my team coming out of international retirement!!!

Yeah, I just wish Barca would let Henke play a bit more. Or that he went to a club that would put him on the starting 11. There was talk about a german club, I've forgotten which one, that wanted to borrow him but I don't know what happened to that.

We have another forward now that I think will be fantastic; Johan Elmander. He plays for FC Köpenhamn and I think he and Zlatan will be deadly in the future. He's big, good with the ball and shoots good.

Sweden have a good chance next year, I think Fifa's ratings are pants!!!

Yeah, well in Sweden's case I think they're actually being a bit generous. And what is Czech Republic doing in third position? They had to go through the play offs to qualify for the cup, for god's sake! There are many other weird spots.

Can't wait, and although Scotland won't be there again, there are still plenty of teams I will support ( especially those playing against England !!!! It's the 40th anniversary of their only tournament win, expect to be bored rigid by the constant references throughout the world cup commentary! )
My money's on Brazil, but anything can happen.

That's the beauty with the World Cup if you love the game. Your own team don't even need to be in it for you to enjoy it (although I am sorry though that Scotland didn't make it).

Yeah, Brazil looks really impressive - as always. But Argentina were fantastic during the Confederation's Cup this last summer. Or maybe Netherlands will finally make it all the way through.

Which are the teams that you think are missing the most? I think Ireland is missing. And perhaps one or two South American teams. And the best african teams missed their chance this time. No Cameroon?? Nigeria?? And Senegal who shocked France and knocked out Sweden the last time??

Tacitus

11-19-05, 08:09 AM

Hmmm... I dunno... Seems like Australia has been having an awful lot of trouble reaching the cup since they haven't been there for 32 years, so I would guess they've had to meet a South American most of the times at least.

I was kinda...nearly...semi right. :D

Seems like FIFA have been messing the Aussies around. Historically, it seems that they've had to playoff against a South American side apart from 2002 where they lost to Iran (which is where my muddled thinking came from I think).

Though:

This is the last chance Australia have to represent Oceania at a finals. Their understandable frustrations at having to play what amounts to two meaningful games every four years, thanks to FIFA's backtracking on a promise to give the region an automatic qualifying spot, has led to them leaving the much maligned confederation to compete in the future in Asia, where four automatic spots are up for grabs. - From ESPN

What team will you be rooting for in the cup, Dave?

None. :)

We're not there, and haven't been for 20 years now, and the boys down the road mucked up their group. I'll still watch every game though support will entirely depend on the scientific 'sexiness of the female fans' approach, game by game.

ermmm Brazil then? :D

EDIT - On another note: Roy Keane.

Looks like he's done a Saipan on Sir Red Face and spat his dummy. Pity for them, as even a fading hatchet man such as Mad Roy would walk into most teams in the league when fit (though that's probably around 10 games a season).

Still, Bhoys fans should be happy....or Bolton, Portsmouth, Wigan, Some Saudi Outfit with wheelbarrows of cash. ;)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41036000/jpg/_41036176_keane203.jpg

Pyro Tramp

11-19-05, 08:32 AM

I really should have taken football into account when coming to Uni, i completely forgot how much my old home team and new home team HATE each other.

nebbit

11-19-05, 05:24 PM

Australia beat the Irish in Rugby http://bestsmileys.com/blobs/2.gif we have lost 7 games in a row :blush:

Tacitus

11-19-05, 05:30 PM

Australia beat the Irish in Rugby http://bestsmileys.com/blobs/2.gif we have lost 7 games in a row :blush:

:furious:

I watched it.

nebbit

11-20-05, 03:45 AM

:furious:

I watched it.

Robert says that the Australian team is the worse they have had in years. :yup:

Tacitus

11-20-05, 07:43 AM

Robert says that the Australian team is the worse they have had in years. :yup:

Yup it was an awful match - you were just slightly less crap than we were. ;)

nebbit

11-20-05, 09:05 AM

Yup it was an awful match - you were just slightly less crap than we were. ;)

:laugh: it is true :yup:

Piddzilla

11-26-05, 05:12 AM

Geroge Best passing away got me thinking of who the best player today is and what his future may look like.

I watched parts of the Real Madrid - Barcelona, "El Clásico", and Ronaldinho was not of this world. I think it's safe to say that he's probably the best player of the game today.

Something tells me he won't end up the same way as Maradona or Best. And he's not the pretty boy like Best was either....

Tacitus

11-26-05, 05:27 AM

I'd agree that Ronaldinho is probably the best around at the moment (I wonder why we always seem to go for attacking players?) but come the World Cup I wouldn't be surprised if young Mr Rooney goes to the top of the list.

From what I've seen of him this year, he's been absolutely awsome. Pace, strength, fantastic skill on the ball and a kick like a mule. His temper seems to be a lot better too - Northern Ireland beating England and young Wayne's resulting red mist episode seems to have taught him a lesson.

Like Ronaldinho, not exactly the most handsome man in the world either but he's got an edge and bite to his game which might (but hopefully not) get him into bother in the future.

Revenge of Mr M

11-26-05, 12:14 PM

Pidz, I think you're vastly underestimating England's chance! Your countryman may not exactly be the best manager we've ever had, but all over the pitch, we have outstanding players who could get into any international team. Even beckham is the best player Madrid have at the moment. Yes, we have some worrying difficulties down the flanks, but I think it is well within 0our capabilities to reach at least the semi-finals. I'd certainly be very disappointed if we failed at that, and don't fear any other team in the competition.

Piddzilla

11-27-05, 10:47 AM

What you're saying is not impossible. I think you will be wrong though...

Golgot

12-03-05, 02:50 PM

Piddzilla

12-04-05, 02:14 PM

Hey, everyone in the English squad can do this (http://www.break.com/articles/ronaldinho.html) with their eyes closed ;).

[This bizarre bit of footage is very very dull for the first minute, then it gets good. Love the end - did he mean it, or not? ;)]

Yeah, that's pretty insane. I've seen it once before. Apparently they've ensured it's not fake and that he meant to hit the bar all four times....

Darth Stujitzu

12-04-05, 02:51 PM

Wouldn't put anything past Ronaldinho, the boy's a bit special!!!
Just watching him and Barca at the moment, his skills are sublime, Beckham's not fit to lace his boots.

SmegFirk

12-04-05, 06:10 PM

Wouldn't put anything past Ronaldinho, the boy's a bit special!!!
Just watching him and Barca at the moment, his skills are sublime, Beckham's not fit to lace his boots.
Not many are.

Can Beckham lace boots, i wonder.

Darth Stujitzu

12-04-05, 10:52 PM

Not many are.

Can Beckham lace boots, i wonder.

Yes he can, as long as you mention Bunny ears he'll be fine! :laugh:
Probably has someone on the payroll to lace his boots for him!!!

Piddzilla

12-09-05, 06:13 PM

Ok, so here's the groups:

Group A:
1. Germany
2. Costa Rica
3. Poland
4. Ecuador

Group B:
1. England
2. Paraguay
3. Trinidad and Tobago
4. Sweden

Group C:
1. Argentina
2. Côte d'Ivoire
3. Serbia and Montenegro
4. Holland

Group D:
1. Mexico
2. Iran
3. Angola
4. Portugal

Group E:
1. Italy
2. Ghana
3. USA
4. Czech Republic

Group F:
1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Australia
4. Japan

Group G:
1. France
2. Switzerland
3. South Korea
4. Togo

Group H:
1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Saudi Arabia

Sweden and England in the same group - again. Most sports reporters here on TV say that we got a good group with excellent chances for qualifying to 1/8 finals. I think it will be tough though. We could have done a lot worse than England from seeding group 1 but Paraguay feels dangerous.... I think we'll have draws against England and Paraguay and we'll beat Trinidad and Tobago. Then England or Paraguay will beat the other, Sweden will end up as second in the group and qualify together with the winner of the England vs. Paraguay match.

The two toughest groups in my opinion are groups C and E. Argentina and Holland are of course the favourites in Group C but Serbia and Montenegro and Côte d'Ivoire are lethal. Group D with Italy, Ghana, USA and Czech Republic looks like a wasp nest. I think anything can happen there, but Italy are probably favourites.

What do you other football enthusiasts think of this??

Darth Stujitzu

12-09-05, 06:54 PM

Group F looks a bit tricky, not a bad team in there. Do us all a favour Sweden and beat England, had to put up with Sky Sports talking about who England will play in the final all day long!!! Wouldn't be so bad if it was tongue in cheek, but they are serious.

I would like to see a Brazil v Argentina final, but I don't really care, just as long as England get nowhere near the final, it'll be bad enough next summer with it being the 40th anniversary of their only tournament win, I wish the English media would get a dose of reality.
Sometimes it's hard to be a Scotsman...........

Golgot

12-09-05, 07:01 PM

What do you other football enthusiasts think of this??

It's a nice setup innit. There's some explosive last-16 possibilities too. (I'm imagining Poland or Germany would be the opposition if either of our teams get thru).

The England-Sweden game'll be fun if things are still undecided. Should be a close one as usual. (Altho we're even more erratic than usual at the mo tho, so who knows what sort of game we'll give you. A 'Northern Ireland' or an 'Argentina'? ;)).

Paraguay will definitely be tough, and T&T will be solid too (as most of the first team play in the English Championship -2nd division- apparently). Still, i'll be surprised if they win a game.

Groups C and E definitely look the trickiest. If Italy underestimate that group they'll get bounced out - but yeah, they should make it.

but I don't really care, just as long as England get nowhere near the final

You are a bitter bitter man. (And you think England have a chance of doing that. How sweet :) ;))