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!
As a footie traditionalist, I don't cotton to all of this Friday-Tuesday evening malarkey, but there it is. Platini has spoken. No England match today, so I'm over at work monitoring the action in the different qualifying groups this afternoon. If you're doing the same, join in on the chatter.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:04 PM
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!
23 Comments:
A couple of early matches are underway already at 5pm GMT. Borat's lot are 0-0 with the Belgians in Group A action.
In Group B, Armenia have just taken a 2-1 lead over Slovakia.
Armenia are now 3-1 up over Slovakia. Not a good result for the World Cup novices.
Armenia have finished 3-1 over Slovakia. A number of 6pm GMT matches have kicked off.
England's opponents on Tuesday evening - Montenegro - will kick off against Switzerland at 7:30 GMT. Wales also match up against Bulgaria tonight.
Hungary have not surprisingly jumped out to a 4-0 lead over San Marino. What must it be like to be a San Marino international, knowing that every match you're going to be thumped by the likes of the Magyars.
Belgium have pulled out a late 0-2 win over Borat and co.
The Scots are near kick-off time in Prague. Here are the sides:
Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Whittaker, McManus, Weir, Caldwell, Darren Fletcher, Morrison, Dorrans, Mackie, Naismith. Subs Gordon, Miller, Robson, Maloney, Bardsley, Iwelumo, Berra.
Teams - Czech Republic: Cech, Suchy, Michal Kadlec, Hubnik, Hubschman, Pospech, Plasil, Polak, Rosicky, Magera, Necid. Subs: Lastuvka, Holek, Rajnoch, Pudil, Bednar, Vaclav Kadlec, Stajner.
Fifteen minutes in and the Czechs and Scots are locked at 0-0. The Gooner won't be best pleased that his boy Tomas Rosicky is on from the start.
6-0 Hungary now!
Those key Group G matches that impact England have kicked off. No scores yet.
Nearly half time in Prague - still 0-0. I reckon that the Scots will be happy with that.
Still no scores in those two Group G matches. I'm happy with that.
Italy have kicked off in Belfast against Norn Ireland. No score there.
Hungary have settled for eight goals against San Marino.
Oh dear - the Scots are 1-0 down to the Czechs going into the last five minutes. Looks like another disappointing evening for them.
Montenegro are 1-0 up over the Swiss. That might just put the Swiss out of contention for the Euros now.
Bulgaria have taken a 0-1 lead over Wales too. Shame that. Wales are finished before they start.
Italy are still at 0-0 with Norn Ireland. I honestly don't know what the Italians are playing at these days.
The Scots have lost 1-0 in Prague.
Montenegro have beaten Switzerland 1-0. Next up - England!
Bulgaria have knocked off Wales 0-1.
So, Group G looks like this now:
1. Montenegro Played 3 GD +3 9 pts
2. England Played 2 GD +6 6 pts
3. Bulgaria Played 3 GD -4 3 pts
4. Wales Played 2 GD -2 0 pts
5. Switzerland Played 2 GD -3 0 pts
I have some thoughts on the Euro qualifiers. Group G appears to be taking shape as the Montenegrans are masters of the 1-0 win. They are in an excellent position to qualify for their first major tournament even if they lose at Wembley on Tuesday. The English will need to keep an eye on Mirko Vucinic and will have to break down a well organized defense. I agree,BD that Wales have too much ground to make up. My thoughts on some other results. I was surprised to see Slovakia lose to Armenia, however, the Irish failed to take advantage losing at home to Russia. The Irish will need to get at least a draw in Slovakia or else their hopes of qualification will be really slim. Northern Ireland got a creditable 0-0 draw against the Italians. I agree that the Italians should have won handily,but they did get an away draw. If they win against the Serbs on Tuesday then they will be in control of their group and practically eliminate the Serbs in the process. If Northern Ireland win at the Faroes on Tuesday then their will be an interesting for second place between Northern Ireland and Slovenia. Scotland's loss to the Czechs hurts as they face Spain on Tuesday. I expect Scotland to be out of the running by then. Spain should win that group with the Czechs finishing in second. Finally, Portugal defeated Denmark 3-1 with a strong United influence. Nani scored twice and former United favorite, Ronaldo, chipped in with another goal. The change of manager really helped and I expect them to qualify by finishing second behind Norway. Any thoughts ?
Well done, my boy Nani!
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