Bundes v Banana Boy

andybox · Post by **andybox** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 6:45 am

Big game, I’ll be back in a png so will have to watch it from the compound. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen, and Lincoln.
1-1 then on to penalties, Croatia to march on to the final.

Lincoln · Post by **Lincoln** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:05 am

Wanker..

Of course the result will be England all the way.

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:36 am

If they make the final I'm heading into the centre of London.

Even if I end up in A&E

Flobster! · Post by **Flobster!** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:38 am

You and 4 million other drunks

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:40 am

Well....thankyou

Flobster! · Post by **Flobster!** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:50 am

Can you imagine what A&E was like today? It will be much worse next time.

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:56 am

No I can't.

No personal experience

There is a possibility I could end on a morning ferry to Holland

Flobster! · Post by **Flobster!** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:56 am

rezuar · Post by **rezuar** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:31 am

2:1 for Croatia!

Flobster! · Post by **Flobster!** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:35 am

SD, if you can't get into Russia, go to Zagreb.

Andrea1 · Post by **Andrea1** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:40 am

May the best team (on the day) win.

I'll try to be a better person for the rest of my life, I swear, Eyes, Fingers, legs, toes crossed that it's England.

The Mallard Missie · Post by **The Mallard Missie** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:56 pm

I hope they drop Raheem Sterling. He's a fucking waste of space.

Lost Soul · Post by **Lost Soul** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:09 pm

The poor guy screwed up every chance he created. But he did create chances, so he will stay. The coach just needs to remind the mong to pass to Kane when under duress.

Anyhoo, this is England's big chance. They have great set pieces, a decent goalie, and the golden boot, so 2-1 over the southern Barbarians.

harry_flashman · Post by **harry_flashman** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:38 pm

The Croats will certainly have more up front than Sweden but the fact that they conceded two goals to a very average Russian side suggest that their early form was a bit of a fluke. Will they have time to recover? I think the cooler night time conditions will suit England well. England all the way to a hopeful final against Belgium.

Lost Soul · Post by **Lost Soul** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:50 pm

This final has the sail of two titties written all over it.

Yes, Dickensian.

harry_flashman · Post by **harry_flashman** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:05 pm

If England make the final, i could handle losing to Belgium because they have been a good advertisement for the game. I would rather go out in the semis than lose to the frogs in the final.

The Mallard Missie · Post by **The Mallard Missie** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:43 pm

If it is an England vs France final, I will have to cut myself into two half ducks.

Lost Soul · Post by **Lost Soul** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:46 pm

Or three, via the duck l'orange.

Iolar · Post by **Iolar** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:51 pm

Croatia 3-1.

Agent009 · Post by **Agent009** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 3:42 pm

Sorry bundes....
The red coats are going to crush.
4-1!

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:30 am

Flobster! wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:35 am
SD, if you can't get into Russia, go to Zagreb.

For reasons I don't want to go into. I couldn't afford one trip right now. A week after the final I could charter a plane.

Such is life.

Lincoln · Post by **Lincoln** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:42 am

Well if you're going to be wedged up then buy tickets for the Edgbaston Test/one dayers...send that plane you're going to charter to pick me up and we'll have a day on the ale watching Cricket....please supply cocaine and high(ish) class hookers.

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:50 am

Yeah, and live for the next nth years in a tent!

Flight costs are about £2k to Moscow the moment.

I'd love to do cricket sat in a stupid costume. Sounds like a plan.

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:57 am

They'll be doing an interview of 70 yeaf old me sat in a caravan in Devon, with no teeth.

I was there in 2018!

harry_flashman · Post by **harry_flashman** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:04 am

Iolar wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:51 pm
Croatia 3-1.

The hopes of the anxious Irish now rest with Croatia

With the population having already had the effects of prolonged good weather to contend with, anxiety levels in Ireland were further raised over the weekend as the English took another step closer to what would be an unexpected World Cup success story.

What seemed almost laughable to many just a week ago; the notion of Gareth Southgate’s players actually winning the thing and so suddenly transforming the British broadcast media, on which many Irish people are heavily reliant, into a no-go zone for a decade or more, is now potentially just two games away.

By themselves, Sweden proved hopelessly ill-equipped to halt a clearly superior team in Samara with England progressing to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 28 years thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.

The hopes of those Irish anxious to see Southgate and his players stopped before it is too late (mainly, though not exclusively those in older age groups) now rest with Croatia then, if it comes to it, either Belgium or France.

Most would regard the ongoing Brexit negotiations as a workable example of how this might all pan out rather satisfactorily, with a hefty majority of relatively happy EU members combining to wear the English down and ultimately frustrate their ambitions.

Others (mainly, though not exclusively those younger age groups) have contended the Southgate’s general likeability, an improved style of play and the failure of the team’s fans to disgrace themselves in any way, should be enough to put an end to what might be regarded as widespread and deep rooted begrudgery. The begrudgers are having none of it.

With the population having already had the effects of prolonged good weather to contend with, anxiety levels in Ireland were further raised over the weekend as the English took another step closer to what would be an unexpected World Cup success story.

What seemed almost laughable to many just a week ago; the notion of Gareth Southgate’s players actually winning the thing and so suddenly transforming the British broadcast media, on which many Irish people are heavily reliant, into a no-go zone for a decade or more, is now potentially just two games away.

By themselves, Sweden proved hopelessly ill-equipped to halt a clearly superior team in Samara with England progressing to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 28 years thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.

The hopes of those Irish anxious to see Southgate and his players stopped before it is too late (mainly, though not exclusively those in older age groups) now rest with Croatia then, if it comes to it, either Belgium or France.

Most would regard the ongoing Brexit negotiations as a workable example of how this might all pan out rather satisfactorily, with a hefty majority of relatively happy EU members combining to wear the English down and ultimately frustrate their ambitions.

Others (mainly, though not exclusively those younger age groups) have contended the Southgate’s general likeability, an improved style of play and the failure of the team’s fans to disgrace themselves in any way, should be enough to put an end to what might be regarded as widespread and deep rooted begrudgery. The begrudgers are having none of it.

England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates victory over Sweden in the World Cup quarter-final in Samara. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.
England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates victory over Sweden in the World Cup quarter-final in Samara. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.
In Samara on Saturday, there were barely any England fans to celebrate with, just 3,000 or so having obtained tickets through their FA and, at the very most, that many again sourcing them independently.

Back in England, there were reports of good natured drunkenness, kids dancing on bus shelters in several cities and, in Stratford, east London, of several fans evading security at a local branch of Ikea, where they danced on beds; all stuff that would, of course, be considered deeply endearing in Ireland if done by the Irish.

In the Samara Arena, meanwhile, there were not too many Swedes among the 39,991 strong crowd either, which made for a strange, slightly subdued atmosphere, one that was punctuated from time to time as the many more locals present broke out into chanting in support of their side, who ultimately exited the competition a few hours later in Moscow where they lost a penalty shootout with the Croats.

The hosts going out may help to facilitate a late surge of travelling support for England with tickets likely to be slightly less difficult to come by for the Moscow semi-final in which Southgate’s side will play on Wednesday . There was no particular sign of it by Sunday evening, however, with return flights from London to the Russian capital going out today and coming home after the final still easily available for under €500, something that suggests that while the country may be gripped by World Cup fever, there is a lingering fear among those normally inclined to travel still think the risks are too high despite all of the positive reports since the tournament began.

Southgate, meanwhile, slightly over-egged the youth and inexperience of his side in his post-match interviews but said that it was a privilege to find himself in the same category as Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson, as one of only three England managers to have guided their teams to a World Cup semi-final.

He also paid tribute to one of his much more recent predecessors, Roy Hodgson, for his role in laying some of the foundations for the current success by handing some of the players opportunities to feature at Euro 2016 where, of course, the team went out to Iceland and the manager was widely castigated.

“They didn’t have big-match experience and under pressure they suffered,” Southgate said.

“I think Roy took a lot of criticism for that, but he was brave enough to put a lot of these young players in – and without that experience, we wouldn’t have had a day like today because they’ve learned from that.

“ But,” he also suggested, “we are a team who are still improving. We know where we are.”

That remark will, of course, cause further concern in Ireland while the claim by his opposite number, Janne Andersson, that his side had had “a bloody good World Cup” is possible the greatest affront by a Swede to this nation since one of their referees, Martin Hansson, missed the you know what by you know who nine years ago.

In the latest in a long series of patriotic acts, the others being mainly musical, John Delaney may ask for Ireland to be the fifth team in this week’s semi-finals.

Well, things are getting a little desperate folks.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... -1.3558301

Lost Soul · Post by **Lost Soul** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:13 pm

Stephen_Dedalus wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:50 am
Flight costs are about £2k to Moscow the moment.

Fly to Petrograd and take the train the rest of the way.

GLimpet · Post by **GLimpet** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:23 pm

Belgium to win WC final in a dour encounter with Croatia.

Iolar · Post by **Iolar** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:26 pm

I have no idea what Emmett Malone is banging on about. I watched the QF in The Hole In The Wall and the entire place was cheering on England.

harry_flashman · Post by **harry_flashman** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:01 pm

I actually thought it was a good piece. Nicely written and very much in the spirit of the tournament.

Its the likes of Ken early that really do drag the reputation of your country through the mud.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... -1.3556869

bundes · Post by **bundes** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:24 pm

There's a chance that I can't take Wednesday off.

Can you believe this bullshit!!?

jessica_fletcher · Post by **jessica_fletcher** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:33 pm

Bundes, you look a little pale.

Are you feeling ok?

Is that a sniffle I can hear?

pezworld · Post by **pezworld** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:27 pm

bundes wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:24 pm
There's a chance that I can't take Wednesday off.

Can you believe this bullshit!!?

Noooooo!

pezworld · Post by **pezworld** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:28 pm

jessica_fletcher wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:33 pm
Bundes, you look a little pale.

Are you feeling ok?

Is that a sniffle I can hear?

I definitely saw it Saturday night! It's one of those slow brewing things.

ceylon_tea · Post by **ceylon_tea** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:33 pm

I'm supporting the colonial masters. #stockholmsyndrom

ceylon_tea · Post by **ceylon_tea** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:34 pm

bundes wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:24 pm
There's a chance that I can't take Wednesday off.

Can you believe this bullshit!!?

call in sick?

bundes · Post by **bundes** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:37 pm

It would really be taking the piss since everyone would know I wasn't. Especially my boss.

Hopefully will find out this morning.

steveogolf · Post by **steveogolf** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 5:32 pm

England to beat the Hvar-ians/Dubrovnikians, 2-1, and the English Bogans and Hooligans will go wild.

simon_in_exile · Post by **simon_in_exile** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:50 pm

Good article with some insight on England from Modrić here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... nd-croatia
He’s alright, is Luka Modrić (until he scores against us).

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:57 pm

Hopefully it will not be like 2007, Simon. Modric can do one with that sort of talk.

Have the papers already thought of a rhyming headline about Southgate'a waistcoat?

simon_in_exile · Post by **simon_in_exile** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 7:03 pm

Pizza Hut are waiting for a new ad campaign - let’s hope they have to wait a few more years yet.

bundes · Post by **bundes** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 7:51 pm

Good news - After a bunch of moving things around I can take off to watch the game.

Bad news- I have to go back to work and be in a meeting at 3.

This should be interesting.

Kilombo · Post by **Kilombo** » Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:17 pm

Englad has good chances to advance to finals....
But GO CROATIA!

The Mallard Missie · Post by **The Mallard Missie** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 5:39 am

Kilombo wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:17 pm
Englad has good chances to advance to finals....
But GO CROATIA!

Typisch.

Unfortunately for you this isn't the referee:

andybox · Post by **andybox** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 7:39 am

Iolar wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:26 pm
I have no idea what Emmett Malone is banging on about. I watched the QF in The Hole In The Wall and the entire place was cheering on England.

You were cheering on England???

Iolar · Post by **Iolar** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:46 am

Of course.

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:37 pm

Have another go, mate

bundes · Post by **bundes** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:49 pm

Come on Lincoln!

Lincoln · Post by **Lincoln** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:08 pm

Here we go...

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:11 pm

Stephen_Dedalus · Post by **Stephen_Dedalus** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:12 pm