England v Italy

[Ken Gargett]

. Surely the Irish hate us too, like the Aussies and Kiwis like to pommie bash? Admit it? No?

there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good bit of pommy bashing. in fact, i'd suggest that if it ever stopped, no one would be more distraught than the poms themselves - they might start to think that they are not the centre of the earth.

it does go both ways - poms, on those rare occasions when they do win something, love to hit back - i think i would have had 200 emails from people i had never heard (let alone squillions from those i did know) of after the 03 world cup because poms were passing around the email addresses of any aussies they knew. which really is one of the saddest things imaginable, but the only people it upsets are those that take it too seriously - on both sides - and that serves them right.

as for the game, it struck me that if the poms had won, it would have sat alongside that FA cup final a few years ago when the gunners beat man u on penalties. as a gunners fan, happy to take it but on the day, man u were so far away the better side. sport can suck at times, but it does seem a fair result in the end here.

fascinating book called 'why england lose' which goes through all the stats etc behind it. surprisingly showed that, for population and all other relevant matters, england do better than one might expect.

[Cohiba Stevie]

Agreed kenny.

No doubt england are a great footballing nation... But as i said their national team are an affront to the sport.

I think the premier league is by far the most competitive, most enjoyable to watch, most talented, hardest to excel at league in the world... For a country with such footballing pedigree, on paper england should be in the worlds top four.

Also look at diamanti who came on for italy last night, he played sensationally when he came on late in the second half and scored their winning penalty... He was a west ham reject a year ago,thats right west ham! the guy just couldnt cut it in the premier league.

[winelover]

it does go both ways - poms, on those rare occasions when they do win something, love to hit back -

Just thinking of recent Ashes...

[Ken Gargett]

funny, i meant to put in something like 'and some not so rare occasions of late' but it honestly slipped through?????

[Ken Gargett]

without wishing to stir anything up, of course, and with the greatest respect to them, the poms do occasionally ask for it.

i remember when working in a law firm in london, a few of us were discussing the british open, then on at st andrews. one of the female lawyers was clearly quite perturbed about something and eventually we got her to spill (i might add, i was the only person from foreign shores in the room). "i just don't understand why it is being played there. why play it in scotland? after all, it is the british open. it should stay here.'.

[Cohiba Stevie]

without wishing to stir anything up, of course, and with the greatest respect to them, the poms do occasionally ask for it.

i remember when working in a law firm in london, a few of us were discussing the british open, then on at st andrews. one of the female lawyers was clearly quite perturbed about something and eventually we got her to spill (i might add, i was the only person from foreign shores in the room). "i just don't understand why it is being played there. why play it in scotland? after all, it is the british open. it should stay here.'.

Again i agree that they do ask for it...

Now that they are out of the euros they are all supporting andy murray to win wimbledon, its funny how they think they can pick and choose the players representation, andy murray who we all know is a very proud scotsman but the english all support him becuase hes 'british' lol its rediculous

Not to mention, andy murray when asked who he represents actually said scotland and doesnt consider himself playing for 'britain'

[CaptainQuintero]

Again i agree that they do ask for it...

Now that they are out of the euros they are all supporting andy murray to win wimbledon, its funny how they think they can pick and choose the players representation, andy murray who we all know is a very proud scotsman but the english all support him becuase hes 'british' lol its rediculous

Not to mention, andy murray when asked who he represents actually said scotland and doesnt consider himself playing for 'britain'

I didn't know we were playing the sweeping generalisations game, can I break out my leprechaun outfit and make some comment about how awesome potatoes are?

[Cohiba Stevie]

I didn't know we were playing the sweeping generalisations game, can I break out my leprechaun outfit and make some comment about how awesome potatoes are?

Lol its funny to hear you use that generalisation, are you sure that applies to me considering i live in the north of ireland? Im flattered actually.

I thought those of us in the north should be waving union jacks and pledging allegiance to the queen?

No?

[CaptainQuintero]

So what you're saying is that using sweeping generalisations make people look like fools?

That concludes today's lesson. You're welcome

[Puros Y Vino]

Gentlemen, gentlemen...enough of this ribbing and ill will. Let's focus on what's important in this thread. ITALY "WON"!! Now on to those pesky Germans.

Any bold predictions for Spain/Portugal?

[Cohiba Stevie]

Its a shame a hearty convo about football had to result in some of our english forum members throwing their toys out of their pram just because of some blatantly justified criticism about their national team.

Ah well.

I would like to see spain beat portugal as i have backed a spain/germany final.

Having said that i think ronaldo will be out to do some real damage given the way he has played as of late. I also think germany might be underestimating the italians, the germans arent looking the most convincing at the back, and with schweinsteiger potentially out for the semi the italians are in with a better chance than they think.

Its been quite an enjoyable tournament i think.

[Guest Robo]

Gentlemen, gentlemen...enough of this ribbing and ill will. Let's focus on what's important in this thread. ITALY "WON"!! Now on to those pesky Germans.

Any bold predictions for Spain/Portugal?

I totally agree with this comment.

I'm predicting Italy / Spain in the final.

[winelover]

Its a shame a hearty convo about football had to result in some of our english forum members throwing their toys out of their pram just because of some blatantly justified criticism about their national team.

Ah well.

I would like to see spain beat portugal as i have backed a spain/germany final.

Having said that i think ronaldo will be out to do some real damage given the way he has played as of late. I also think germany might be underestimating the italians, the germans arent looking the most convincing at the back, and with schweinsteiger potentially out for the semi the italians are in with a better chance than they think.

Its been quite an enjoyable tournament i think.

With respect, I think if your posts had stuck purely to the football and you didn't find the need to keep pitching in with a snide last word, then we could have avoided all of the unnecessary crap.

Yes Italy are through let's look forward to the semi.

Roger and out.

[Orion21]

"USA USA USA USA USA" (Fist Pump)

[winelover]

"USA USA USA USA USA" (Fist Pump)

LOL

[ckearns]

I didn't know we were playing the sweeping generalisations game, can I break out my leprechaun outfit and make some comment about how awesome potatoes are?

Poor decision to post this. There were many other ways to make your point without going there.