BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004

Subject: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 02:01 AM

Does anybody think England will win?

I don't think the team is good enough to win.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: C-flat
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 02:55 AM

Judging from last nights' ragged display, I would have to say not.
We have some great players, Gerrard, Owen, Rooney, Beckham, Scholes, all of which would grace any side, but we don't seem to have a team.
Our midfield looked ragged, Scholes looked down-beat, Beckham and Rooney were wasteful, all in all a poor showing with the only bright spot being Owens' sharpness.
I'll be cheering them on and kicking every ball but our first game is France and they're going to be a somewhat different proposition to Japan.
I fear we might be on the wrong end of a good beating.

C-flat.

BTW, has anyone else noticed a sudden out-pouring of national pride in our football team? For the past two weeks I've been seeing England flags on cars and houses all over the North.
They usually go up the night before the match.
Are they giving them away free with every gallon of fuel or something?
Nothing wrong with a bit of pride and support (we're going need it), I'm just not used to seeing so much of it!
Maybe it's the spirit of '96!

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: MudGuard
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 03:17 AM

Does anybody think England will win?

There's a 1 in 16 chance ;-)

But I do hope that England does not win (hehe, being selfish, I want my national team to win)

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: fat B****rd
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 03:18 AM

It's the only time I watch Footie on TV. But I shall be yelling for England against France on June 13th. Win ?? You never know.
Nice to see all these English flags on so many foreign cars.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 05:00 AM

I don't give England a hope in Hell of beating France. France have better players, are in form and better at playing in the heat. We have plenty of good players and they will play better than they did last night. However, even if they finish second in their group, they will meet Portugal in the quarter final. Against the hosts in the hot sun, that would make their departure inevitable.
I reckon England will have a better chance of covering themselves in glory if it rains a lot in Germany in two years time - (given that we qualify!)

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 05:44 AM

On paper the England team have little chance of beating the French team. But we must remember that the game is played on grass. In the last World Cup, the French team were the hot favourites, but never won a single match!

It is not a good guide watching these warm-up games, as the main concern of those playing, is not to get injured.......

There will be a better spirit shown than last night, in the Euro 2004 - but even if there is, England could still lose every game. These are the best players we can come up with however, so it would be nice to see everyone in the country support the team - but not to get carried away in defeat or more importantly, in victory.

The tabloid jingoism, should not be taken seriously. In defeat, they will blame Sven and in victory they will soon forget that England's head coach is in fact Swedish.

Let us all just enjoy the football...............

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 08:14 AM

No! its our solemn duty to go out in the quarter-finals on a tie-break, Come third behind Schumacher or get acidentally run out on 99.

then again Cricket? Rugby? thats 2 out of 3

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Ranks
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 05:28 PM

The answer is simple
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 06:09 PM

NO

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 06:45 PM

Well we know for a sure and certain fact that the Scottish team will not.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Gareth
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 07:05 PM

Hmmm ! As a Welshman it is quite simple

When England Play the W'Indies at cricket we support the W'Idies.

When England play the Aussies at Rugby we support the Aussies

and when England play anybody at Soccer, we support the Police.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 05:05 AM

as if ?

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 11:52 AM

Ah Shambles my friend, you're confusing me with someone who gives a damn. If I never saw another article about a philandering [allegedly] overpaid footballer, or even yet heard the words Association Football, or soccer, I would shed not one single tear. Programmes I wanted to watch on TV [not many] would start at the time advertised, and politicians would have to suck up to some other, and probably better form of sportsman, to try and prove that they are of the people.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 12:50 PM

John, you'll die a bitter, disappointed old man, as indeed will I. If footballers were paid 1/10th of their present salaries, and were 1/10th as fit as our oarsmen and women (who in the main do it for bugger all, and alongside their university studies or a full-time job) the game would be in a far better state than it is.
JB :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 03:47 PM

England could defeat France but only if we get rid of that young Evertonian thug Rooney and replace him with Alan Smith - ok,I'll admit to being a LUFC fan but then someone has to be......(and that's despite Smithy's traitorous move to MUFC!) Smith has had his moments in the past but has learned to control his temper and would make an excellent partner to Owen up front. Rooney plays like he couldn't give a damn whether he gets red-carded or not. I'd even select Heskey over Rooney - he may not score many goals but he doesn't half worry defenders (sometimes even his own!)


Arnie

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 11:13 AM

Ah Shambles my friend, you're confusing me with someone who gives a damn.

Sorry John. It's just that I had to watch Scottish TV, and Scottish football on it, for 12 years so I do understand how you feel.

I would watch all the 'build-up' to the big game (i.e. the match with the England team) and then just as the game was about to start - I would hear those dreaded words. Viewers in Scotland now have their own programmes.

*^+£$!!**!

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 12:56 PM

Not a feeling with which I can empathise, however I do like cricket, and where I live I cannot get FM broadcasts. Being a Radio 4 listener almost exclusively, I am listening to TMS today on LW, as there is no other choice. So it's just as well I like cricket. No Blowers today though, unfortunately.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:08 PM

I am a footie fan and most other sports.

Compare and contrast - the rugby team played every game to win for a number of years before the Rugby World Cup, were fit as butcher's dogs; every player played in the same position game after game and knew precisely his role within a larger scheme of things; we won the Cup.

The football team plays friendlies and the team changes half way through (which it will tomorrow); changes systems every game (4-4-2 tomorrow diamond against France; we need a new fitness coach to get them fit by lapping the training ground; the players are played out of position (Gerrard - Lampard; the alternative to Lampard (Scholes) can't get a game in a poor Manure side); Becks plays in a position which he doesn't want to play in and his private life has affected his game so he is playing poorly; nine days before the French game Sven does not even know the team he will play.

Of course we will win!!

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:21 PM

English Premiership Footballers are extremely fit -- I'd say the fittest in the world. The game is played at a frenetic velocity compared to other leagues, and the same league of 10 years ago.

Leeds fan who would select Alan-sorry-I played-you-into-the-first-div-but-see-you-if-you're-at-Old-Trafford Smith, no wonder you signed in as a Guest.

I'm a guest because I'm extremely famous and do not wish you to know my real name, which is Jimmy Hill.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 02:09 AM

Who is Jimmy Hill?

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: C-flat
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 04:05 AM

Jimmy Hill. The most famous chin on television!

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 05:19 AM

Ever wish you hadn't asked?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 07:21 AM

In one short word NO, but mind you I'm Scottish.

Mind you I just hope that they do well in Euro 2004

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Big Tim
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 09:16 AM

I see a poll has found that 1 in 3 Scots will be supporting England. I've yet to meet one. Pity England didn't pick Alan Smith or Chris Sutton, chances are they'd have been red-carded early on! Never mind Beckham, Rooney or Scholes will do just as well. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Holland will beat Ireland tonight (Channel 5): if not, it's " He's short, he's fat, he's gonna get the sack: Advocaat, Advocaat". Hey, where's Ard Mhacha?

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST,not a Jock
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 11:57 AM

I see a poll has found that 1 in 3 Scots will be supporting England. I've yet to meet one.

You should go to Scotland ... there are quite a few of them there.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 12:28 PM

That's because there are so many English people living in Scotland. The polls are done by address not by the nationality of the person living there.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 01:30 PM

No I suggest that it is because the majority of people (yes even in Scotland) do tend to support UK teams in major competitions, when their own teams are not playing.

Despite the bluster, most folk in England will support other UK teams (yes even the Scotland team) even if they may dread the future - in the unlikely event of any of these teams actually winning....

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 02:11 AM

England 6 Iceland 1.

Not sure if we found out much more that the game against the Japanese team, other than the fact that teams who are not going to compete in a competion, are more concered with the game and are ess concerned about picking up an injury.

Possibly born out yesterday by the Republic of Ireland's team beating the Dutch team 1 - 0? With a fine peformance BTW.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 04:55 AM

Tim, The Irish second string beat Holland, not bad against a team of billionaires, and after Englands win over Iceland they are taking on Tescos, a much bigger store.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Big Tim
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 05:14 AM

Ha, ha Ard - now I know why you've been missed. As for the Ireland game, me oul caubeen has been well and truly eaten, I'm delighted to say. btw, GUEST, not Jock - I am in Scotland. I was only joking anyway, I was supporting Henman the other day and I'll be supporting England too, despite the media.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 08:21 AM

Yes , the media, I used to listen to Radio 5 Live, but at the moment that is impossible, hype is not the word, I would take the toothache in preference to those jingo merchants.
And yes England have as good a chance as any of the the other countries, thay are in there and are so far undefeated.[our local GAA team always had their photos taken before the league began, while they were undefeated]
Please France spare our sanity and win.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST,Non sport fan
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 08:49 AM

Does anyone with an IQ over 60 really give a shit?

I mean, come on people;these "games" are nothing more than nationalistic aggression..."Us against them" the sort of thing that perpetuates standing armies all over the world sucking the life blood out of our economies.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 12:44 PM

On this of all days, I suggest that even if this were so, it would be better than the usual ways of letting off our national aggressions, by troops invading each other's countries.

If we have to do this, (and it would appear that we still do) it is far better to settle this on the football pitch, (or even in the bars and streets) than in open war.

It will not be too bad if we just accept in advance, that the best team (probably not our own) will win.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 01:02 PM

You know, Non sports fan is right regarding all of that agression,aren`t we all lucky he dosen`t go to the games.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 02:04 PM

There is a book by Mack Reynolds [I think] called Time Gladiator, set some time in the future. The basic premise of the story is that all war has ended, and disputes are settled by gladiators from each country, who fight to the death, and the country who's gladiator wins is deemed to have won the dispute. That would certainly make those nancy boy football players earn their inflated wages.
Reminds me of a certain Matt Busby
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST, andy
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 04:12 PM

in a word: no

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 04:28 PM

On the question of sport forming friendly relations between nations, does anyone remember the war between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969, this was over game of football between the two countries.
No doubt when it comes to sport the knives are out.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: kendall
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:24 PM

Little boys fight with fists; big boys with knives and clubs.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Armen Tanzerian
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:34 PM

Je te donne mon reponse en deux mots: im - possible.

C'est la France qui sera vainqueur.

Allez les bleus!

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 07:56 PM

We will see, not long to wait now.

France 1 Ukraine 0.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 10:05 PM

Shambles, I'm crushed! (My grandparents were from Kiev.)
We don't get European Cup matches here in the States...at least, not those of us who have fewer than 279 cable channels.

But I'm looking forward to the next World Cup...at least I probably won't have to get up at 4AM to see the matches!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Armen Tanzerian
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 06:43 PM

Yikes. I had the crow all cooked and ready to eat, and along comes Zizou in the final two minutes. Incroyable.


Allez les bleus!

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST,The Stage Manager
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 05:45 AM

I've just seen a squadron of pigs looping the loop over Wembley, and then flying in formation through the new arch.....Is this an omen?

SM

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 07:45 AM

A man had great tickets for the Euro 2004 final. As he sits down,another man comes over and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him. "No," he says. "The seat is empty." "This is incredible!" said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Euro 2004 Final, the biggest sporting event in the world and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away.

This is the first European Championships Final We haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else - a friend or relative, or even a neighbour to take the seat?"

The man shakes his head. "No they're all at the funeral."

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Pat Cooksey
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 08:13 AM

This was the first time I saw England play for some time, I think this is the strongest England side for years, they held the French very well for 90 minutes, Zidane and Henry were well contained untill the panic at the end. Zidane is allways capable of a moment of magic, which he produced on cue. England will have no trouble with Croatia, or the Swiss, and could go a long way. I have had the misfortune of watching Germany play many times, and I don't see them doing much.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: Armen Tanzerian - PM
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:34 PM

Je te donne mon reponse en deux mots: im - possible.

C'est la France qui sera vainqueur.

Allez les bleus!

OK, you win.

But strangly I think that this result may actually mean that the England team is now more likely to win than had the 90 min score been the final one. Or at least of losing again to a fine French team in the final.

The expectation is now a little more realistic. Had England won last night, the papers would have had us already holding the cup and although the performance was good - it was plainly not good enough to beat the French team - yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Will England win the European Cup 2004
From: GUEST,Noddy
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 04:59 AM

YET! NOT GOOD ENOUGH YET!
What makes you will play them again?