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'll be honest, I'm still feeling as if someone's kicked me in the gut after the last weekend and its results. Still - it's Holland this morning and that means one thing - Van Persie watch. Either RVP scores s hat-trick today against Slovakia or the 4th of July beers are on the Gooner. Later, Brazil take on Chile. Should be fun - join me, eh?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:52 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!
403 Comments:
Morning Bob
I will be around but will struggle watching the game.
My TVs don't work!! I have the cable guy coming at 12:30!
Good morning UWS and Blue Devil. I feel the same. In my opinion this is the worst tournament since 1990. Let's have some decent officiating.
Morning, gents! So, what you're telling me is that weekend broke your telly? I'm not surprised. Decent officiating would help definitely.
The team news is in:
Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder, van Persie. Subs: Vorm, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, De Zeeuw, Braafheid, Elia, Schaars, Babel, Afellay, Huntelaar, Van der Vaart, Boschker.
Slovakia: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik, Weiss, Kucka, Stoch, Hamsik, Jendrisek, Vittek. Subs: Pernis, Cech, Kozak, Sestak, Sapara, Holosko, Jakubko, Kopunek, Salata, Petras, Kuciak.
Our referee today is Alberto Undiano Mallenco from Spain.
It's fake Scot Derek Rae and real Scot Ally McCoist on the microphone today.
You'll notice that Coach Weiss's son is out of the doghouse and back in the side. And he's had a quick start there feeling Stoch who should have got it on target.
Bit of a slow start for the Dutch. It's always difficult when a star player like Robben is unavailable for a few matches and then comes back in. The side has been clicking along nicely and now they have to readjust.
Oh dear - RVP was in there but his header wasn't convincing. Went off the shoulder of the Slovak defender and out for a corner.
RVP had a header that went just wide.
My TV is fine,I am just disgusted with the events of the weekend matches.
I hear you, MUR. Mine's fine too, although it was in grave danger of having a shoe thrown at it yesterday morning. Sounds like we may have lost UWS to a cable appointment.
RVP passes to Sneijder who shoots straight at new Everton reserve keeper,Mucha
That is why I have a satellite. I love it. I felt like throwing things at the telly as well.
I have a feeling that the Dutch can take Slovakia apart if they really want to.
I had satellite telly in Japan and really enjoyed it. I've worried about the extreme weather here in the winter knocking out my service so I've stuck with the cable, which has served me well.
Is this the same idiot that was card happy for Germany vs Serbia.
I agree - I expect a Dutch-Brazilian quarter final. That should be tasty. One of the matches of the '94 tournament was a Holland-Brazil match that ended 3-2 Brazil.
I think it is, yes. He's been more controlled so far today.
I did miss parts of two matches in 2006, but none this tournament.
I remember that match. I think it was played in Dallas. Howard Webb to ref the World Cup Final?
That was an interesting free kick from Van Bommel.
Well done. I've got a 100% record so far too.
Hi Guys!
I am at the computer watching a link on atdhe.
My TVs aren't working!!
Robben scores immediately! Thanks for waiting Arjen
GOAL! Arjen Robben shows what Holland have been missing so far. A bit of magic, jinking in from the right. Left-footed into the bottom right corner.
Welcome back, UWS!
About the officiating, I first thought it was a good performance from the refs for the first week and now this!
The US media are slagging FIFA for not even having to comment!
Hello UWS!
As long as he doesn't feed RVP, Robben can score for fun all morning. Good stuff there. One of the best goals of the tournament. He nearly scored one of those in his cameo in the last match.
My Cable Guy should be coming at 12:30 so hopefully I have a TV to watch.
It is the strangest thing. The TV, internet and phone are all on the same thing but only the DVRs aren't working. My regular TVs are snowy
I really enjoyed that goal. I believe that the match vs Brazil could be similar to the '94 meeting.
I'm surprised that the two referees haven't come out with statements. I'm thinking of the umpire that made the disastrous call in that baseball game that robbed the young kid of a perfect game a few weeks back. He got really raked over the coals and made several apologies. That would at least help soothe the anger.
I have an ESPN and BBC link going
I am going to keep the BBC link for half time stuff
I wish you the best,UWS. I hope everything is working in time for the afternoon matches.
Vittek has been feeding on scraps so far. A woeful cross from Weiss is nowhere near him there.
Thank you
I just find it bizarre!
I think the officiating crew in yesterday's matches cost themselves any chance of officiating the remainder of this tournament. Definitely not the final.
One of the semis is in this stadium
Two Scots reminiscing about Archie Gemmill's goal against Holland in 1978. Love it.
Robben was screaming for the ball there. He was wide open.
Mucha punches clear a corner he should have caught. The Dutch maintain possession.
That was an awesome goal.One of my favorites. The Dutch not lost a lead at a World Cup tournament since losing to Scotland in 1978.
The referee is going to the other extreme. He has not issued a single card.
Vittek was down, but is now up.The free kick is cleared by De Jong's heel.
Bad news for Holland there - Robben picks up a cheap yellow card there.
Robben is booked for a handball. The announcers call it a soft booking, but every other official has given a card for that.
Decent free kick in there but cleared. Jabulani effort from Jendrisek.
I think this Dutch team can Brazil a good match.
The Dutch are just starting to take the foot off the pedal and give up too many free kicks. The Slovaks have the ability to punish them.
Nice idea by Hamsik,but the cross is cleared.
Agreed - I think Brazil just have enough power to see them off but it will be fun to watch.
I agree. That is what happened against Italy. We have a flag change.
I hope it will be fun to watch
AND the ref needs a new flag!
Maybe both yesterday's linesman need one too!
Slovakia have a corner.
I like this stadium but there are still far too many empty seats. That has been a real problem of this WC.
That guy has some designer tape on his thighs... sexy!
Kucka goes into the book for the rash one - he overran the ball and went in wildly. On the replay, the Dutch player wasn't touched though. Mallenca starting to warm up his cards.
Weak shot by RVP
RVP's effort is saved by Mucha. He should have generated more power in the shot.
RVP with a shot on goal but a fairly tame effort. He's got 50 minutes to score three now. That's one every 17 minutes or so. I don't fancy it.
Post match punishment... FIFA needs to do it
It is cheating
Steve's in trouble!
What's the bet again?
The Robben goal has taken the fizz out of the match. It would have helped if Slovakia had been able to score first. The Dutch will just knock it about looking for the odd opening now.
I agree UWS. FIFA and the officiating crews need to be accountable.
Defending of Robben... how can the defender allow him to cut inside? Just give him the right wing!!
So do the players
The Dutch are doing just enough to win the match without expending too much energy or risking injury.
I said that the beers were on me this coming 4th of July weekend if RVP scored four goals in the first four matches. No chance.
Arsenal fans are easy marks when it comes to RVP. I just looked at his record and could tell that he only scores on average 1 in 4 matches for Holland and 1 in 5 for the Arse.
Steve is in real trouble!!!
You could give him the whole tournament!
Of course, I thought a certain #10 would score a boat load
He will need a hat trick in the second half. Congratulations Blue Devil!!
Half-time: 1-0 Holland. I'll be joining you from the office in the second half.
Thats's the half and 1-0 to Holland. To be honest, it has been a stroll.
Half time
Holland 1 Slovakia 0
Does Holland know you can score more than one goal a game?
Linekar, Shearer, Dixon and Edgar Davids in the BBC studio
Dixon and Shearer agree with me... let him go down and make a cross
BBC showing England getting on their bus... I surprised they did that successfully
Holland usually score more goals in the second half. There should be more gaps as Slovakia chase the game as they attempt to equalize.
Cap is saying he refused top club jobs because he likes the one he has
Says the players are tired!
RUBBISH
Five Germans played more games than any of the English!
Davids says that the Germans had a winter break.
What about all the players still playing in the WC that are in the Prem
Chile and Argentina each have one player that played in the Championship this past season and they are still in the tournament
Loving the BBC coverage
I'm back and if the office with an Atdhe link for the coverage on Auntie Beeb. Good to see Gary Linkeker. We could have used his sniffer abilities yesterday.
The teams are out for the second half.The second half has begun.
Strange little commercial for Radio 1 on BBC 1
We're off .... no changes
Cap should have put Lineker and Shearer up front.
Teams back on and we've kicked off again. Slovakia still in this one, particularly if Holland go into a shell. 45 minutes for RVP to score his hat-trick now. I'd love an early substitution. Surely Huntelaar would fancy a run-out.
Nice commute Bob
I did some research and discovered that England's loss to Germany was a record margin of defeat for them in a World Cup Tournament.
Love it!
No scoreless games for Slovakia in over 50 games!
The Slovaks attack early and maintain possession.
Slovakia really getting into the Dutch here. Get start for them. And I do think Van Bronckhorst might be a weak link.
Slovakia had a chance there... needed to be a better ball
Who is the colorman on the Beeb
ooh, Robben almost makes it two!
They let him cut inside!
Just wide by Robben as Mucha tips his shot around the post.
Oh - Robben is inches away with another left-foot effort. Great save by Mucha there.
Robben makes a great chance and brilliantly saved by the keeper... right on the hooter!!
Another great save from Mucha! He's keeping my beer bet alive.
Mucha saves well from Matheijssen after some trickery from Robben
Is it Martin Keown?
I think it is
He sounds dull enough to be an ex Gunner
Mucha gathers Sneijder's free kick. Bob, I declare you the beer bet winner!
RVP with a nasty challenge
Keown is forgiving a fellow gooner
Zabavnik is down injured.I thought RVP put in a legitimate challenge, trying to win a tackle.
Made Robben go right and the cross was cleared
Free kick chance for the Dutch
Very dangerous position for either Robben or RVP
Robben with a poor pass into the penalty area. He is later fouled by Zabavnik.
Free kick now for the Dutch on the right side of the box.
RVP with the free kick and Mucha did well. Nicely done, lad!
RVP with a nice free kick that is punched clear by Mucha.
RVP with a pile driver... Keeper is fouled by Kuyt
This keeper is coming to England... for who?
Keown is a really dull color commentator. Makes Robbie Mustoe seem like Big Ron.
He will be Tim Howard's understudy at Everton.
I think they said Everton, no? He'll have to nudge Timmy out of the way first.
Surprised he isn't going to start for some team
That was closer than I thought
He was MILES out
Kucka had a decent long range effort that went just wide.
Mucha was playing for Leiga Warsaw prior to the transfer.
RVP is down to thirty minutes. I'm tasting that Bellhaven Scottish Ale right now.
I think the Netherlands want to be cautious and try to go for a second late in the match.
Robben feeds Sneijder but his shot is blocked.
Robben with a nice run and Sneijder's shot is blocked.
Congratulations Blue Devil !!!
What a chance for Slovakia.. nice save
ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE AND SAVE!!!!
Stecklenburg saves well from Stoch. Then Stecklenburg makes a reflex save from Vittek.
United need to buy this guy!
Vittek is tied with former Middlesborough striker Nemeth as the leading scorer for Slovakia.
I would have put that one in
UWS are you talking about Stecklenburg? If so, I agree even though he needs some work on his kicking.
Kuyt heads over from an RVP free kick.
Still don't like him for his Chelski ties and his bloody goal at OT and his stupid face!
Robben coming off now. Slovakia making a change too - Jendrisek off.
Yes, I am talking about the Dutch keeper
VDS would make him feel comfortable
Robben is replaced by Elia and receives a deserved ovation. He did make a difference. Jeredisek replaces Kopuneck, the scorer of the vital goal against Italy.
Yellow card now from Kopunek - the sub. His first touch.
I agree, UWS. He would do a great job for us.
Nice shot by Kuyt
Kuyt rifles one in but it's well dealt with by Mucha. Palmed round the post.
Do you really need a player like Robben? You've got Nani after all!
Mucha saves well from Kuyyt, his new Merseyside rival. Everton fans will love this.
Good work from Elia but his final ball over was rubbish.
We need a new forward to partner Hernandez more than we need a wide player.
Fifteen minutes left for Slovakia. The Dutch still seem barely out of second gear in this match.
Ouch - no love for Wazza these days, eh?
Same again from Elia. He is a great dribbler, but needs to work on the final ball.
I don't want Robben... I want their keeper
Kuuyt breaks, but is double teamed by Weiss and Kopuneck.
Viteek Jabulani's after a mix up in the Dutch defense.
Oh - Vittek had a chance to level it there. I'd love to see him pop an equalizer in now. The Dutch should really have seen this off. Sheer cynicism.
Bottoms up Bob!!!
Here comes Huntelaar. Who's coming off? Yes - it's RVP.
Wooooooo hooooooo!!!!!!
Huntelaar is on for RVP. Bob is officially the winner!
Cheers, UWS. It's going to be a lovely jubbly weekend in D.C. now. RVP's not happy with Bert van Marwyck but I am. YES!
RVP not happy with his coach!
Perhaps he has been talking to Gooner and is upset that he has let him down
Bob is really pleased with Van Marwyck.
I feel that there will be another goal before the final whistle.
TWO NIL
MUR IS BLOODY NOSTRADAMUS!!!
Nice play by Kuyt
GOAL! That'll do nicely. Mucha made a mess of that. He gifted it to Kuyt who squared it to Sneijder who slots home easily.
2-0!
GOAL!!! 2-0 SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY PREDICTION? A LONG BALL AND KUUYT ROUNDS MUCHA BEFORE PASSING TO SNEIJDER FOR AN EASY TAP IN.
And Skrtel gets his requisite yellow card. Not looking good for Slovakia now. Over and out.
You are indeed Nostradamus, MUR. But I am still Nostrabobus.
Useless by that left winger
Why were the Slovaks protesting? Mucha let A Costa player chip him. Everton fans will not like that.
Where's my Bruv?
Timmy won't be too worried about his competition after that
Two rather futile changes for Slovakia now. Marek Hamsik coming off. He's been a real disappointment in this World Cup.
Hamsik is replaced by Sabara and Kopuneck is replaced by Sabara.
That wasn't much of a foul on Skirtel for the goal
you just made up those names!
Where is your brother? He came on a bit yesterday morning but I think that the England-Germany knocked the stuffing out of him.
Skrtel was protesting the quick free kick. There was no offside. I thought it was a perfectly legitimate goal.
I think it did
I haven't even heard from him through email
Into the last minute
Coming down to the last few moments of this one. It hasn't been much of contest in truth. The Dutch were well within their capabilities today. I'm hoping for more spice this afternoon from the Brazil v. Chile.
I have another prediction. We will see the first South American team eliminated from the World Cup this afternoon.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
I think it says something about our strength of character that we're still watching this morning, eh chaps?
I would love to see Chile get something.
I want them to make Brazil work
I agree Bob... what a rotten weekend!
I think Brazil vs Chile will be similar to this match.
Yes, exactly UWS. I want to see Brazil show their true quality...if they have it. I'm still not quite sure.
Sneijder replaced by Afellay.
How can Keown think that was onside?? He's a defender!
He appealed for everything when playing
Afellay shoots just wide. That shot was deflected.
I want everyone to stop going gaga over them!
Penalty
Only a yellow for the keeper... there was a covering defender
Well, well, well. It's a penalty for Slovakia!
It could have been a red for Stecklenberg! Only yellow.
2-1 but too late
Vittek has a chance to level the Golden Boot stakes....
Yes - it's four goals now for Vittek and there's the final whistle. Extraordinary!
The Ref blows up immediately!!
Holland are through
Full-time: 2-1 Holland.
18 goals in 5 Round of 16 games
Shearer doesn't rate the Dutch. Doesn't think they can win the World Cup.
Stecklenburg booked for a stonewall penalty.Vittek scores fron the penalty spot and is tied with Higuain on four. He is Slovakia's all time leading scorer. The final score is 2-1 to Holland.
Shearer not impressed by Holland
Is Davids going to thump him
I don't think that was the Dutch at their best.
Take care fellas... hopefully I will have my TV for the second match even though I have enjoyed the BBC coverage
Take care everyone. I will see everyone this afternoon.
Cheers, mates - I'll see you for the afternoon's festivities.
Whats the difference between the England team and a teabag??
A teabag stays in the cup longer!
I am back on TV line!
There was a PLUG not plugged in!
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