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!
Let's hope Roon, JT and Crouchie will be celebrating plenty of goals this afternoon as the Three Lions take on Ukraine at Wembley in their fifth qualifier of the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign for South Africa. Join me from around 2:30 EST for all the action.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:38 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!
165 Comments:
Group 6 looks like this today:
1. England - 12 points (4 matches)
2. Croatia - 7 points (4 matches)
3. Ukraine - 7 points (3 matches)
4. Belarus - 3 points (3 matches)
5. Kazakhstan - 3 points (4 matches)
6. Andorra - 0 points (4 matches)
I've just seen a re-broadcast of President Obama's press conference with Gordon Brown in London this morning and he's ducked the question of a prediction for today's match. Come on - Barack - that's a softball. Yes, we can!
Which one? The England or the US match?
Just as an aside, his predictions for the NCAA's are taking a Wall-Street style pounding so maybe taking the Fifth for a footie prediction is the safe move.
Here's a good laugh...
As an April Fool's prank, the Mirror printed an announcement that the Ukrainian's request to play the full 6 1/2 minute version of their national anthem has been granted. At least I hope that's a prank.
The Fleet Street journos were asking him about England vs. Ukraine. Of course he had no clue - when are we going to get a true internationalist in the White House?! - and spent a couple of moments babbling about Gonzaga, much to the consternation of the assembled. I'm sure that they were thinking, "Why is this geezer talking about college basketball?"
And I'm absolutely sure that Barack won't be watching Sam's Army tonight.
The only stream I can find that's working is the LiveVSS feed of Sky Sports. Unfortunately it's got a stupid ad obscuring a small part of the screen at the top but that's all I can get.
The panel chatting in the studio right now with kick-off at 3 p.m. EST.
Some other scores in qualifying so far:
Turkey 1 Spain 0 in the first half.
Borat 1 Belarus 5 - that's a result.
Liechtenstein 0 Russia 1 in first half
Poland 1 San Marino 0 - first half.
Here come England in their designer warm-ups debuted on Saturday.
I'm just going to settle for following this on the blog. My internet at work has been a bit hopeless today and I think trying to get a video feed would make my head explode.
Good news - Sheva is on the bench and Voronin is leading the line for Ukraine. Nice one!
Everyone-Strike a pose! Now vogue!
Fair enough. Sometimes I do that too when the streams are just not working. So far so good for me.
You have to let me know if the national anthem goes for over 6 minutes.
Here's the England starting XI:
James, Cashley, Glen Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, Barry, Gerrard, Lennon, Lampard, Rooney, Crouch
I'd say pretty close to the first choice XI there for Don Fabio.
Here comes the anthem. All very stirring stuff. Quite a few Ukrainians in attendance at Wembley.
Ordinary length - maybe a minute and a half. No epic version.
Now God Save the Queen without the undressing bit from Saturday's match. And now on with the action.
Come on England!
Good prank though. I bet there were more than a few thinking "strewth, no way am I going to be able to take a 7 minute anthem.
Go-on-England.
Now a period of silence because of the tragedy in Abidjan in the qualifier between Malawi and Ivory Coast. Well observed.
Here we go...!
First touch for James. Building slowly from the back here.
Crouch is looking the obvious target for most of the early forays.
Ukraine are winning too many second balls in the midfield for my taste.
Crouchie up front on his own? Or partnered with a more forward Rooney?
Outrageous overhead effort from Roon goes well over the bar.
Looks to be Crouch and Roon up front together. We'll see what the partnership looks like. Gerrard on paper out wide left but will probably drift central. Lennon wide right. Early doors.
Very measured pace to this opening. Quite different from their furious opening ten minutes against Slovakia.
First chance for Lennon, but his touch let him down.
And Barry goes into the book trying to recover the ball in midfield.
David James apparently is the only England player on a yellow card coming into this match and would be suspended if he were to pick up another tonight. We can only dream....
Now Glen Johnson takes a nibble at Voronin and is lucky not to be booked.
Nice cross from Lennon well cleared out by Timoschuk.
Rooney makes an excellent run and is hacked by a Ukrainian who picks up a yellow card.
Free kick opportunity in a dangerous area here. ..
Gerrard takes and....it's just wide of the far post. Inches from England's opener.
The crucial tackles are starting to come in from the England boys. It's heartening to see that Barry hasn't been put off by that early card.
Fifteen minutes gone and that Rooney overhead and Gerrard free kick are the closest England have come so far.
Johnson nearly got exposed at the back there. Near disaster.
Rooney picks up a corner with some excellent chasing.
Lampard swings it in and it's too long for JT.
Timoschuk caught out by Crouchie and Rooney nearly got onto the ricochet.
Hi, I am here
What's happened so far?
Very little ambition from Ukraine going forward so far. You have the feeling that this is about the first goal going in and then it's hard to see Ukraine getting back into it.
So promising so far for England?
Welcome, Dave! 0-0 going on 20 minutes now. England have been building cautiously from the back. Gerrard went close with a free kick.
Cautiously promising. The back four really haven't been tested, but then it is Voronin running the line for Ukraine.
Lennon has been nullified by the left back playing right up against him. But that's leaving a bit of space for Roon to plow.
Corner to England....
It skips all the way through the area.
Excellent move from England through Lamps and Roon, spreading wide to Lennon whose touch was too heavy. He took it too wide and the chance was blown for Lamps.
A bit of Calamity at the back there for England. James should have come for it and he left Johnson and JT a bit stranded.
I had a link working from atdhe but it has gone
Voronin has picked up a bloody lip after a clash with Terry there. He's gone off for treatment.
Try LiveVSS - the main channel is working.
I have now the veetle link working through p2p
It is the ITV coverage
Lennon with a clever cross into the area flicked on by Roon. Out for a corner.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CROUCHIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOAL! Crouchie! Lovely header from the corner.
1-0 England!
Nice finish.
THE ROBOT...
"why not, Smithy told him to do it"
Great line by the commentator
My mistake. The initial header was back from JT and then it was an acrobatic volley from Crouchie to finish it.
And a bit of the robot in the celebration. Lovely.
His wasn't the header... he hooked it in. Great winning header by Terry to make it.
This is looking good. England really clicking through the gears with half an hour gone.
Barry's got to watch himself. Another foul from him and he might be off. That's the only worrying thing for England now.
Excellent! More please.
Did you see what happened in Italy?
Giampaolo Pazzini was given a red card after two minutes for elbowing O'Shea
Ukraine are claiming that Barry hauled someone back in the area a while ago. Hard to see on the stream.
Really?! No, I haven't seen that yet.
Glen Johnson has been very steady. It's going to be hard to see Micah Richards or the Neviller winning that spot back in the near future.
ooh, Rooney almost hits a volley!
Good ball in from Lennon to Roon whose shot is blocked.
Lennon again who is taken down but no foul given. Aaron's getting more space now.
It's going to be hard seeing Micah playing in the Prem if he fades away any faster.
Errant clearance there from Calamity.
The Scots have taken the lead against Iceland
Wales are losing to Germany
True. In fact the entire U-21 has faded until Psycho's tutelage. They made the likes of David N'Gog look positively brilliant in yesterday's match against the French U-21s.
Wales are finished. Can't see the Scots qualifying either. Norn Ireland have an outside chance if they keep playing out of their skins.
So what do you think about Shearer going back to Newcastle?
Still very little threat to the England goal from Ukraine with half time nearing.
Italy are leading 1-0 at half even being a man down
Absolutely mad! Those Geordies are even more romantic about the game than I am. They keep getting suckered by the idea of the returning hero. They'll get relegated and will have to sell off most of their squad.
Come on, lads - one more goal before the interval.
Scores from the Group
Kaza 1 Belarus 5 R
Andorra 0 Croatia 2
COME ON ENGURLUND!!!
Snapshot from Gerrard after a ball in from Roon. Interestingly everything is coming down the right today whereas it was the left flank that was more active on Saturday.
Amazing strike rate for Crouchie -
13 goals in 15 games. Why doesn't he start all the time?
From Mark, Redcar, via text on 8111: "Crouchy's celebration was the pull the rope sketch from comic relief- it wasn't ridiculous, it was legendary."
David Platt is starting to roll his "R's." Is he pissed?
Crouch goes close again. Knocked off the line from a corner from Lamps. He's the real threat today.
What coverage do you have? Again, I have the ITV coverage through p2p and Veetle
Half time
Half-time: 1-0 England
Very satisfying. England looking full of confidence and life. Good value for the lead and I'll look for more in the second half.
I'm off to set up my classroom. Back in a tick.
John Motson had an interesting question last Monday
Has David Beckham EVER scored a goal at Wembley? I don't think he has for England. He may have scored in a Charity Shield match against Newcastle but that is it!!
I know most of his career was during the Wembley rebuild but still!!
Wales are two down
Spain score a last minute winner in Turkey
Wonder if Torres got hurt!
Torres DID go off in the 85th minute when the scores were still tied.
FINGERS CROSSED!
From berryave on 606: "England's shirt numbers starting the game, 1-11, as it should always be. Is this a unique situation?"
Boy, I'd love to see that Brian Clough documentary. I'll see if I can dial it up on Atdhe on Friday.
I have tried to look for that too.
Tony enjoyed it
Here come the teams
COME ON ENGURLUND!!
You've got the ITV link going?
I'm on the LiveVSS stream of ITV enjoying the half-time chat with Joe Cole and co.
Teams are back out then. Come on, you England!
Argentina have tied it up after 24 minutes against Bolivia.
Strange kick off time for that
Poland are EIGHT up against San Marino
The Czechs and Slovaks are playing each other. Tied at 1 with 12 to go
More Calamity with James there starting to come and then leaving Johnson to clear it. Even when England are playing well it always seems as if James give up a key goal. Why is he still there?
That Czech/Slovak match must have a bit of extra spice to it!
End to end stuff now with a Ukraine attack and then a long run from Rooney and a shot just wide.
US President Barack Obama will travel to Eastbourne Borough's Blue Square Premier game against Ebbsfleet on Saturday, in order to watch his cousin Achtog Laprifolo play for Borough. (Blue Square Premier official website)
What day is it?
People fell for it
Uh oh, Goldenballs is up and stretching.
2109: No word at all as yet on the situation with Fernando Torres's hamstrings, for all you curious 606 users.
Nice April Fool's joke. You missed the earlier exchange about Barack. He was asked about this match this morning at a presser and indicated that he had as much interest in footie as my mum.
Well played by Crouch.
Nice pass to Lennon... useless pass by the ex Leeds man
You're a ghoul, you are!
Iceland have tied it up at Hampden.
Oh Dear
Another rubbish kick from James. Get him off!
Bring on Foster!
Slovakia have taken the lead in the 82 minute
England are allowing Ukraine onto us a bit too much for my liking.
Sheva about to come on
Come on England... get another one!
The only issue with where Rooney has been playing in the past two games is that he always has to turn in on his right foot. I'd love to see him skin a defender down the left channel and rocket in a shot with his left peg.
MY SHAMWOW JUST ARRIVED!!
Cheers Steve
Rooney nearly played in Cashley there.
Sheva coming on for Voronin, who's been rubbish.
He can use his left!
I hope Sheva doesn't have point to prove
Don't use it to beat up a prostitute, whatever you do!
Come on Becks!!!
Score a goal at WEMBLEY
And here comes Goldenballs for his 110th cap.
Nice defensive header by Johnson. I think he is England's right back.
I think he will move to a biggie during the summer
Terry closes down Sheva well there.
Come Becks... stuff it down both Dahlgren's throats!!
Lennon off for Becks there. Straight swap.
Some good news from SJP
2113: Some news from elsewhere in football. Newcastle confirm that Dennis Wise has left his position as executive director (football).
Poland have scored TEN!!
N. Ireland have taken the lead
Argentina are losing 3-1 at half time
San Marino's torture is over
FREE KICK CHANCE... COME ON BECKS!!
Told you about Becks and Wembley
Mop up tears in good health Davey. Steve.
On to the top netting. Shame. It does move a lot
Slovakia have beaten the Czech
Scotland have retaken the lead
Rooney, settle down!!!
It was a stupid tackle. He got the ball but the follow through was horrible.
Come on England...please score to make me not so nervous
Croatia have won in Andorra
2128: Spain's win over Turkey means they have now gone 31 consecutive games without defeat. That equals a European record as Hungary went that number without defeat between 1950 and 1954.
20 to go
Austria have beaten Romania 2-1
Over 87,500 in the stadium tonight
BLOODY HELL!!!!!
SHEVA SCORES!!
Useless defending from the free kick
COME ON ENGLAND!!!
15 minutes to go get a winner
I knew he would score!
Useless dive by Sheva. Should be in the book
Useless cross by Cole
England with a corner...cleared
The Welsh have lost 2-0
Ukraine are looking for the winner!
COME ON U WHITES!!!
Great cross by Becks that just eludes Crouch and then Rooney blows it
SWP to come on for Crouch. Just over 10 to go
France have taken a 75th minute lead against Lithuania through Ribery
10 to go... COME ON ENGLAND!!
Robbie Keane has scored a last minute equalizer in Italy
N. Ireland have beaten Slovakia and continue to lead their group
I can't see England scoring here.
I hope I am wrong
Chance for Becks to whip a ball in the box... he didn't get it past the first man last time
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crossed in and won by Gerrard and knocked in by John Terry!!
Where was the defending!!
Was he offside?
I AM SO GLAD I WAS WRONG!!
Come on... HOLD ON!
Wembley sounds good right now!
3 minutes plus added time to go
Becks gets a yellow for kicking the ball away.
Cappello didn't celebrate at all for the goal
Jagielka comes on for Rio. He goes straight down the tunnel
Not good news for United
About time for Rooney's hospital ball to Stevie G!
Gordon Bennett
Bolivia FOUR Argentina 1
Still over half an hour to go there
Four minutes of added time in London
ITV confirm it WAS onside
Sheva with a thunderbolt but from miles out but James saves easily
Lamps has a weak shot. If he was in Chelsea blue that would have flown into the top corner
Same could be said for a Gerrard shot a few minutes ago
Scotland have beaten Iceland
They are in second place
Holland 15
Scotland 7
Iceland 4
Into the last minute of added time
France have won
Come on ref... blow up...
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Five wins out of five!!!
Table
England P5 Pts 15
Croatia P5 Pts 10
Ukraine P4 Pts 7
Belarus P4 Pts 6
Kaza P5 Pts 3
Andorra P5 Pts 0
HALF WAY THERE!!!
Good luck to the US tonight
Take care everyone
UWS
Argentina are now 5-1 down and down to ten men. What is going on???
I'm back at my break and loving the coverage from Davey. Thanks, mate! I was on pins and needles reading your stuff. Five wins out of five then. No complaints from here. Roll on South Africa!
Ladycakes to Altidore . . . lovely jubbly . . . US up 2 nil . . . Bolivia 6 Argentina 1
Ladycakes to Altidore THREE times!!
Well done
Post a Comment
<< Home