BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 17 May 21 - 04:04 AM

Tracky bottoms ............. looked like a pair of tights to me!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 May 21 - 04:37 AM

I was too busy looking at his head to make that distinction...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 May 21 - 10:54 AM

Yes Jon, Alex Tetty has given good service to the team. My neighbour has bought a Norwich City FC piggy bank thing and calls it "Tetty". It was originally for her grandchildren, but she decided to keep it for herself. It's now become a 'swear box' so if her husband says a 'norty word' he has to put 50p into Tetty!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 May 21 - 08:09 PM

I was rooting for Chelsea. I know they were oligarch vs oil sheikh, but Chelsea are an actual TEAM, superstarosity not welcome. I like that. They are very good to watch. But wotchit, Chelsea. We are Liverpool and we are coming to get you next year...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Rain Dog
Date: 30 May 21 - 04:19 AM

Meanwhile, back in the real world

Champions League final: Dover Athletic face ruin in 'dog eat dog' football world

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Rain Dog
Date: 30 May 21 - 04:31 AM

Congratulations to Brentford for winning what is probably the richest prize in world football. Good luck to them next season in the premier league.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 May 21 - 06:51 AM

I always think of Fluff (aka Alan Freeman) advertising Brentford Nylons...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jun 21 - 07:08 PM

Damn fine show by the Azzurri tonight: really positive football played by a bunch of blokes with a team ethos, no superstar in sight. If Engerland ever get close to playing them, we're stuffed.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Jun 21 - 05:11 PM

Meanwhile, over at Gillette Stadium,
the MLS team known as the New England Revolution
is to start having 100 per cent spectator capacity
beginning June 23 for their home games,
thanks to the relaxation of pandemic protocols in Massachusetts.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jun 21 - 05:30 PM

Will England win

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 10:01 AM

yep
I've seen heart attacks at a game before but the latest one has survived.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 05:15 PM

Having just seen the Scotland v Czech Republic goals, maybe the Scottish goalkeeper is a fan of René Higuita..?!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 06:22 PM

Steve:
Damn fine show by the Azzurri tonight: really positive football played by a bunch of blokes with a team ethos, no superstar in sight. If Engerland ever get close to playing them, we're stuffed.

Please don't say that. We've got to play them for our last game in the group stage ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 06:45 PM

Further to the above on Scotland, seen the highlights now and, as often in Association Football, the score of 2-0 was probably not a fair reflection of the play - they certainly created plenty of chances.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 07:17 PM

Italy aren't in our group, Nigel...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 07:25 PM

You're right. They're not in your group. But I'm about 100 mile NE of you ;)
We've got Italy on Sunday

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 07:41 PM

Dammit, it's been a long day, Nigel. Imperialism not intended! :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 08:29 PM

I foolishly endured the Spain-Sweden match. By the end I'd given up the will to live. Spain couldn't get round the parked bus and Sweden (praised, incorrectly in my opinion, by the Beeb pundits) had clearly set out to bag a goalless draw at all costs. Turkey tried the same stunt against Italy but were deservedly trounced for their negativity. Football should be about entertaining the fans and, above all, getting the bloody ball in the back of the net.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Jun 21 - 02:14 PM

The greatest comeback since Lazarus was Jesus, but I though Gareth Bale played particularly well after missing the penalty against Turkey.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Jun 21 - 02:30 PM

Wales are now heading the group!
If only because we've played 2 matches, and Italy have played only 1!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 20 Jun 21 - 07:12 PM

Wales concede 1 goal against Italy and then play 30 minutes without conceding another, with only 10 men!
If Wales can play 30 minutes with 10 men against 11 and against a major team such as Italy, anything is now possible ;)

C'mon Wales!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Jun 21 - 07:20 PM

Yep, kudos to Wales, making England look like a bunch of three-legged carthorses. I know they lost the actual match, but they were brilliant!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Jun 21 - 11:15 AM

Scotland's Billy Gilmour tests positive for Covid and has to isolate.
Two English players, who have mixed with him are also sidelined.
BBC Here

I hope this doesn't become a new tactic to hamper a team's opposition.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Jun 21 - 06:30 PM

The Netherlands have made it clear that they will ban travelling Welsh fans from entering the country for the next match.
Now that England have qualified for a home match in the next round, will England (or the UK authorities) match this? The four possibilities for 'away' teams at England's next Wembley match are France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary. All these are on the UK 'Amber' list which requires 10 days quarantine on arrival in UK.

This is not a request for 'tit for tat' action, but an attempt to give equal treatment to all teams.

An announcement by the UK government now might cause a re-think by the Netherlands.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: G-Force
Date: 23 Jun 21 - 05:46 AM

England may have won their group, but their 2 goals in 270 minutes against a fairly average group has done wonders for my insomnia. I notice that the winners of the other three completed groups have scored 22 goals between them.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: G-Force
Date: 30 Jun 21 - 05:52 AM

Well, it may not have been as exciting as the previous day's games, but congrats to England for getting past Germany. And thanks to Ukraine for removing Sweden. No disrespect to Ukraine, Denmark or the Czechs but England now have as good a route to the final as they could hope for. (The final if we get there will be a different matter.)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Jul 21 - 06:39 PM

That was an exceptionally fine game between Italy and Belgium, a credit to the sport. I had no dog in the fight but I was on the edge of my settee all the way through. I fancy Italy to trounce Spain in the semis and would like to see England play Italy in the final. I live in England but Italy is my very favourite country. We'll get slaughtered, but Gareth will become Sir Gareth. I'm having two people round, of a gender not my own, to watch England play Ukraine on the telly (NOT a pushover...), neither of whom ever watch footie. It'll be spag bol then the footie. There will be wine and there will be an instruction that we do NOT chatter during the match....

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Jul 21 - 05:16 PM

Well done ingerland ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Jul 21 - 04:43 AM

Hingerland, cha cha cha!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Jul 21 - 05:55 PM

Well Spain-Italy was as good a game of football as I've seen for years. Positive, skilful, fast, attacking...superb. What a shame someone had to lose. Now for us licking the Danes and getting wiped out by Italy... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 Jul 21 - 08:42 AM

I'm neither a football fan, a nationalist, or a royalist..

But some things are just too good not to share...


https://youtu.be/1z21DPxo1f8

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 Jul 21 - 09:11 AM

Er...thanks for sharing...?? I was half-expecting two little boys to start kicking their football up and down the lines... or the band breaking into the Match Of The Day theme tune...??

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 Jul 21 - 09:48 AM

Nothing will ever beat world cup willie...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 07 Jul 21 - 10:01 AM

I saw this today and thought it may cause some mild amusement


Link

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Jul 21 - 04:18 AM

Well, fancy that!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Jul 21 - 05:34 AM

Well I'm not exactly over the moon. Denmark scored a spiffing goal. We got there via a scuffed own-goal and a rebound from the unlucky Danish goalie after a terrible Kane penalty kick (that should never have been awarded in a million years in the first place). We'd better play better than that on Sunday, otherwise we'll get marmalised. I love watching Italy play, Italy's my favourite country and I've decided to be a neutral on Sunday. I just want to see a good game!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Jul 21 - 07:51 AM

All the best wishes on Sunday.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Jul 21 - 08:42 AM

My only wish is the wish for a good game played in a good spirit. That makes us all winners.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Jul 21 - 08:30 PM

Steve my 'only' best wishes have never included bad things either, like   hooligan violence.
It regards close calls going your way and for Boris to have a good day.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 08:16 PM

Here is the New York Times on
Italian soccer fanaticism.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 02:52 PM

There happens to be a match kicking off seven minutes from now...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 03:57 PM

Nice first 2 mn! Waiting for 2nd half...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 07:03 PM

Well Italy deserved it. They have easily been the best team throughout the competition. We've won a few games but, apart from the game against Ukraine, we've been stodgy, dependable and a bit boring. We were found out tonight. A great first half-hour, then well mugged by a wily and experienced Italian team full of energy and drive. I'm happy with the result.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 03:40 AM

As a non-aficionado I thought Italy were the better team too. I think it is a shame it went to penalties though. Very poor way to finish in me 'umble.

As the pundits said, world cup here we come. Lessons learned and more mature.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 05:35 AM

I can't understand why Southgate used three young and inexperienced players in the penalty shootout. The last penalty was taken by the 19-year-old Sako who'd been on the pitch for hardly any time at all and who hadn't even touched the ball. He's never taken a penalty for his club either. In the final analysis you could say that Southgate got us all the way there via superb management over several years - then was responsible for throwing it all away by those silly last-minute decisions.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 05:58 AM

Oh Steve, my husband says exactly the same thing as you. Poor choices of penalty-takers. He's gutted, and nearly cried. All his England clothes have gone into his bottom drawer, and the flags removed from all over the front of our bungalow.
Actually though, he predicted this outcome. He reckoned all along that Italy would win if it came to 'Tire-au-but'. And he was right!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Jos
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 06:12 AM

I went out this morning and all was quiet. No cars. No people. The only sound was birds singing. The rest of te world must have been in bed with a massive country-wide hangover.
Bliss.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 06:57 AM

Oops, I got that a bit mashed up, mixing up Saka and Sancho (he missed his penalty too). Don't follow me, follow the Guardian match report! :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 07:57 AM

What remains is that the English kids on the team are outstanding examples of compassionate and aware citizens.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Jul 21 - 04:03 AM

We much prefer 'Vindaloo'. Watch it often on Youtube and sing along - very cheering!