We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
I'm not sure how many of you wage slaves will be around to watch this fascinating Round of 16 clash live, so just a reminder not to access the comments section until you've watched the match. Perhaps my educational comrade in arms, United We Stand, will join me live for the match. Are you out there, you Red Devil?
posted by gatorbob @ 10:35 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
74 Comments:
Here's the Italian side, today without the services of pretty-boy Alessandro Nesta, the thuggish de Rossi who deservedly got a four-match ban for that elbow on Brian McBride and Totti, who's crocked. In come the equally thuggish Marco Materazzi and it appears that the Italians will start with just the lone striker Luca Toni:
1. Gianluigi Buffon
19. Gianluca Zambrotta
5. Fabio Cannavaro
23. Marco Materazzi
3. Fabio Grosso
7. Alessandro Del Piero
20. Simone Perrotta
8. Gennaro Gattuso
21. Andrea Pirlo
11. Alberto Gilardino
9. Luca Toni
And the Aussie side, without crocked goalscorer Harry Kewell:
1. Mark Schwarzer
14. Scott Chipperfield
2. Lucas Neill
3. Craig Moore
5. Jason Culina
20. Luke Wilkshire
4. Tim Cahill
13. Vince Grella
23. Marco Bresciano
21. Mile Sterjovski
9. Mark Viduka
I actually fancy the Aussies to give Italy a scare. The Azurri haven't looked comfortable during this tournament when teams have gone after them physically, which the Oz are certainly capable of doing.
Usual ESPN bollocks - they went off for a commercial break just as the sides were lining up for kick-off, then broke off in the middle of that infernal Adidas ad with the teams already playing in the second minute.
Toni squanders an early chance at the far post after a decent cross from Del Piero. I reckon that Schwarzer just about had that covered if it had been on target. It's a relief to see him between the sticks, though, after that 'mare that the #2 Balak had the other day against Croatia.
Good to have you around and about Trev. I'm told a liberal use of chloroform can be handy in those tricky child-care situations.
Fifteen minutes gone and the Aussies actually have Italy pinned back in their half for long stretches and looking to spring Del Piero out wide left for fast breaks.
The Aussies look extremely well organized by Guus Hiddink. Why can't England get him?
Yeah, I do, especially after their bloodbath yesterday, losing Deco, Ronaldo and Costinha. The only worry I've got is the relatively early kick-off and the heat, which really seems to have affected them in this tournament. It almost looks as if the England boys haven't been introduced to sunblock.
A couple of great saves from Schwarzer, first from Gilardino and then a split second stop from Toni.
First yellow card for Chipperfield.
Welcome back, AZ. How was the flight home? Did you see the England match on tape?
Going back to England for a moment, I was amazed at how negative a lot of media coverage was after the match. It's true that England didn't play well, but let's put it in perspective. They are now two games away from the Final! In the games that remain - against Portugal and probably Brazil in the semis and Argentina in the Final, anything can happen. Those games will turn on one mistake, one moment of genius or a refereeing mistake. We have a chance!
Thirty minutes: Yellow card for Grosso for a cynical foul.
From the resulting free kick Chipperfield has a clear shot but straight at Buffon. Shame.
Dave O'Brien is already talking about penalties - in the 31st minute! What a prat!
Two more chances for Toni - one acrobatic effort well blocked by Chipperfield and then a header about a yard from goal put over the top.
After having scored 31 goals in Serie A this past season, Toni has got to be the biggest disappointment of this WC campaign for Italy. No goals. yet.
I am here.
I just got back from my end of year breakfast. MY YEAR IS DONE!!!!
How has the game been so far?
Sorry missed yesterday, I was watching the big game on a half hour delay with about 15 people packed into my little living room.
I was busy being a host for the next match. We did watch the second half.
Heya, Dave. Honestly, you'd be late to your own funeral, wouldn't you! ;-}
Craig Moore absolutely clattered Toni there. Welcome to Aussie Rules, mate!
The Aussies are definitely in this one, having frustrated Italy for the first half. They don't look likely to score but anything can happen as the game winds on.
Half-time: 0-0; Guus Hiddink's Socceroos have got to be happy with their game so far, but I can only imagine the Italian fans tearing their hair out at this performance. This does not look like the confident side that comfortably beat Ghana in the first match. Are they still feeling the residual effects of that embarrassing draw with the hapless U.S.?
Okay, I've changed my mind about the Adidas song. Now I think it's:
"If you don't my ball back to me, I'm gonna sick my Dad on you..."
What do the rest of you think?
"If you don't give me my football, I'm going to get my dad on you"
I missed a word.
If you don't give my football back, I'm going to get my dad on you
Cheers, Dave. That's been driving me mad. What a weird little jingle.
It took me awhile!!
The boys keep singing it around the house
Do you see that Ronaldo will probably be fit, Figo will not get banned for the headbutt but Deco is appealing his second yellow. The reason Figo won't be banned is because FIFA said the ref gave him a yellow. Well, wouldn't you say the same for Deco?
Second half starting. The "Great Chinaglia" believes that an Italian goal is inevitable. What do you lads think?
Iaquinta on for Gilardino.
Shame about Figo. That was a stone-cold red card offense. But I'm hoping that the Deco ban sticks. I hate that bugger.
Red card for the WOPS
Suddenly a flurry of cards. Yellow for Cahill. Love the non-verbals between him and Materazzi.
And now Materazzi is off! Last man? I'm not sure about that, but it couldn't happen to a lovelier fellow. They're down to ten men!
Wasn't the last man
Shame that that free kick from Bresciano didn't go in. That really would've put the cat amongst the pigeons. But the Italians are really losing a lot of center backs. Nesta's out for the tournament, I think, and now Materazzi will certainly be banned.
The referees are being too much of a story. Sepp Blatters fault all the way
I agree, Dave. I'm not sure what the ref saw as a red card offense. He definitely hadn't been booked before or during that set-to with Cahill just a moment ago, so it was definitely a straight red. But why? These referees are just unbelievable.
Toni's coming off to whistles from the crowd to be replaced by some bloke I've never heard of - probably a defensive midfielder.
The Aussies really have a chance here. And if the Italians get knocked off, the bracket is really weak, with the Swiss and Ukraine in the other match.
It's been a long time since a team with a man down has scored. NOT SINCE 2002!!
Well, that would be the LAST tournament!!!!
I know, O'Brien is such a berk!
Oh, a great chance for Chipperfield on the turn, but straight at Buffon again.
Aussies really pressing now. This could easily go all the way.
Boy, what is with these crosses. He was wide open
Now Luke Wilkshire is going in the referee's book.
Yeah, the Italians are really off their game today. They'll breathe a heavy sigh of relief if they can get through this one. And their record on penalties is none too good.
"An absolutely astounding decision. He wasn't the last man, it wasn't that bad a foul - and yet the referee has shown the red card. Disgusting."
Chris Waddle, Radio Five Live
I'm with Waddle....but still, shame about that penalty in '90, Chris.
As with Portugal yesterday, it's lovely to see a big team struggling. We wouldn't get Italy until the Final, but still. They look knackered and have lost several potential starters at this point. That can only be good news for England fans.
Our 1-0 win over Ecuador while sustaining no suspensions or injuries is looking better and better.
This looks as if it will definitely go to extra time now - and possibly penalties too. The Italians don't seem to be pushing for the win and the Aussies don't have the quality to win it.
Spoke to soon...here comes Totti.
I agree.
England do have a three yellows to deal with. The only important one is Terry.
I have a feeling England will very soon click and play a blinder and then we are off to the races.
Other times, we have played well and get knocked out. Maybe it is different.
did viduka have a right for that ball
I thought so. Fair challenge. Time for some Boro-style heroics from Big Mark.
come on... let's have some decent shots.
That was a chance from 20 yds out!! What does the Aussie do? Nice calm back pass to Buffon
The Aussies still have all three substitutions to go - and they look the fresher side. Definitely an advantage going into extra time. Maybe....?
Kathy thinks she just noticed that all or most of the Aussies are wearing the same color boots to match their uniform.
Do you agree?
Kathy is beginning to wobble on this point
Oh, Timmy Cahill should've buried that one.
Yes, I've noticed that that's a trend in this WC. Have you seen Robben's orange boots. Didn't work as well yesterday as they were in their change strip. He must've felt a right prawn.
good point
I would've loved some orange boots when I were a nipper. Do you remember the orange room?
How many games has this prat of duo done?
They must being traveling all the time. Of course, they are probably sitting in a studio in LA
Nice effort from Bresciano - he's been the best player for Oz today.
I guess Sir Trev lost the fight for the controls
No, believe it or not they're the one duo that's there at the matches. They're the premier duo and have had all the big matches, while JP and Harkesy and the rest are stuck in a studio in LA.
Yeah, it looks like it. Trev should've tried one of those trademark Brooking shimmies on the kids.
They can't really be in a studio.
You are being sarky, correct?
Lucas Neill - the pride of Blackburn!
Oh, that could've gone anywhere but it ends up in Schwarzer's arms.
I'm not. I posted an article about that back in May. All the other teams apart from this one is back in the States. Shocking, eh? The problem with O'Brien is that he doesn't know the game so he's reading the information off his notes in front of him.
Yellow now for Gattuso. This is too good!
That is stunning. Well, maybe not. ABSOLUTE DISGRACE
what were the aussies asking for. I guess a handball, it wasn't
It is, but the surprising thing is that the ratings have been much higher for this World Cup. Now that the U.S. is out, though, it may dip a bit.
Now Zambrotta has a yellow. They're racking them up. More good news.
Oh, the Italians get a huge break. Penalty called for a foul on Neill who dove in too quickly and the Italian just fell over him. 'Cello as usual with the cynical praise of the gamesmanship.
Totti to take....and he wins it for the Azurri!
Was that a penalty for you, Dave?
Full-time: 1-0 Italy; well the referee is the story once again, first for the red card on Materazzi and then for that last second penalty call.
The Italians are very, very, very lucky to get through that one and their prize is a juicy quarterfinal against either the Swiss or Ukraine. But they can't take that one for granted after this poor display.
The next match - Switzerland vs. Ukraine - is the worst match of this round, so I'll probably be doing some work with it on in the background. You?
Can you believe it? I missed it. I am watching the replay right now
I had to take the kid to basketball
I am not sure about the pen.
It was stupid of Blackburn idiot.
But he did take a dive.
The ref didn't even start it again. LAST KICK OF THE GAME
I will be around for the next match
Here's how 365 described it: "Another match - another farce."
i simply cannot believe that 'cello as a former defender gave grosso such a huge blow-job for cynically falling over neill. what a travesty he is.
in the end, australia were a bit rubbish, but they've provided an example of how to compete with teams like italy--get it up 'em. they do not like it and have to resort to sneaky nonsense like this penalty.
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