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!
The second round of Copa America matches starts tonight with what is the premier match-up in Group A - Colombia, who eked out one of the only wins in the first week of matches, against the betting man's favorite - Argentina. Will Messi and co. step up tonight and do the biz? Join me to find out.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:35 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!
172 Comments:
I'm going with a link to ESPN coverage here:
http://nwxyz.blogspot.com/
Only one change to the Argies tonight - Citeh's Zabaletta is into the starting eleven. Sergio Aguerro, the goalscoring savior from the other night, has to deal with a role off the bench once again.
And we're underway in Santa Fe.
I'm going with the Galavision tonight. Wow, those national anthems wore me out. Even the players seemed relieved to get those out of the way.
All the pressure's on the Argies tonight. A point would surely be good enough for Colombia with a match against Bolivia to come.
Good evening BD and Gooner. I will try to locate Galavision. I think we get it.
Welcome, Gooner! I'm still catching up with the team news. The official Copa site that I've been relying on is on the blink for some reason tonight. Overloaded?
Buenos noches, MUR! Good to have you on board, mate.
The Argies might be thinking that Sergio's Juve transfer might be in the front of his mind.
They can't get it done with Messi, Tevex, and that thick trunked forward, ain't no Sergio that can help.
If anything, Colombia are starting more ambitiously. What are the Argies playing at? They need a win!
The Argies are going with that guy that jumps out of the way of shots with the, even for an Argentinian, very dodgy hair. Romeo, Romero?
Wouldn't Tev's transfer request be on his mind then?
Yeah - Romero. He's rubbish.
I don't think Galavision is televising the match, so I am letting the link load.
Yeah, I see your point. If anything, Tev's sitch is muy muy complicado.
The stream has video , but not volume.
First dangerous run from Tev there, looking to cross for Messi. Somehow it got blocked out but the Colombians didn't know much about it.
Can you manually adjust the volume at the bottom right, MUR?
That was an early effort for the Argies as a slighly plump Tev assisted on that effort.
What channel has the triangle with the forward arrow inside of it? It's that channel. Comcast doesn't detail the network anymore. Try Telefutura.
Another free kick chance for Colombia wasted there by Guarin.
He does look a bit plump, doesn't he MUR? Well spotted. Carlito's been at the empanadas.
No luck with the volume. I will try to use the video to help guide me.
It doesn't take that many to increase the weight. Mancini will not be pleased.
Oh - Martinez just tipped that cross out of the way of danger.
That was a dangerous Argie free kick. I couldn't tell whether it hit the bar or was punched away by the Colombian keeper.
There are probably a lot of other links on p2p if that one doesn't work for you.
I saw your post about the two United transfers to Sunderland. SAF has been helping Brucie the past few years.The Orange was not a surprise, but O'Shea was as he provides depth. HE has been needed when we have had injuries. I would have kept him for spare parts. He has been reliable if not spectacular.
The video is fine. The audio is the problem, but it might be my computer in all honesty.
Perhaps that means that Fergie has designs on one or two utility defenders of the Christophe Samba variety to pad out the United ranks.
A dangerous Cambiasso cross was punched away for a corner.
Guarin robbed Masch with ease there and the chance in the end fell to Ramos who contrived to stab over. What a miss!
I know he signed Phil Jones, but we lack depth at the fullback positions. With Nev retiring, what happens if one or both of the twins is injured?
Still 0-0 with twenty minutes played.
This has been a low scoring tournament. Perhaps, this will change tonight.
Higuain doesn't tend to do much of anything on the pitch...unless he's sticking it in the net.
Maybe some youngsters will be elevated from the youth squad?
Or perhaps Eric "Bloody" Lichaj is available on loan from Villa again!
EUREKA!!! I HAVE VOLUME!!! I lowered something instead of raising something. TECHNOLOGY!!!
Group C wasn't bad with five goals in two matches but Group A (3) and especially Group B (0) were really spartan on the goal front.
No way!!! Ship him back to MLS, LOL!!!
Well done, mate. I think you'll enjoy this commentator.
Really casual stuff at the back from the Argies allowing Moreno a second bite of the cherry. He struck is fiercely but wide of the margin.
Oh - what a mess!
Could have been a penalty but the referee played on after Ramos was clobbered. Moreno should have scored.
I agree with the commentator - Argentina could easily be two down now.
the Argies tonight
Sergio Germán Romero G
Javier Zanetti
Gabriel Milito D
Nicolás Burdisso D
Pablo Javier Zabaleta D
Esteban Cambiasso M
Javier Mascherano
Ever Maximiliano Banega M
Ezequiel Lavezzi F
Lionel Messi F
Carlos Tévez F
i AGREE TOO. What a glaring miss after some comical Argie defending . The player rounded the keeper and missed an open goal.
That was poor defending twice in one minute.
I have a feeling that Eric the Half a Bee stole his laptop back from the Gooner.
Thanks, BD!!! It was a lucky guess in all honesty.
Burdisso and Cambiasso have been hopeless so far. I remember that last summer in the World Cup, the Argies' defense was definitely the weak link with even Newcastle headbanger Gutierrez ending up at left back.
I have a desktop and the girls have my laptop from school. They better enjoy it as they will be gone at summer camp for three weeks.
The Colombians tonight
Luis Enrique Martínez G
Mario Yepes D
Luis Perea D
Pablo Armero D
Camilo Zúñiga D
Abel Enrique Tapias Aguilar
Gustavo Ramos M
Dayro Mauricio Moreno M
Fredy Alejandro Guarin M
Carlos Sánchez Moreno M
Radamel Falcao Garcia F
Thanks for the post, Gooner. I thought we'd lost you. Banega and Lavezza are the only names I don't know there.
He is an attacking player. That mental case of a manger thinks forwards can defend.
Thanks for the lineups , Gooner.
Don't know any of those Colombians but they look a bit handy on this watching.
The Argies dominated the first fifteen minutes, but have gone off the boil.
I think some of them may play in Spain or Argentina.
It just seems as if all the youth is up front while they're still relying on old age pensioners at the back.
Nope, I've been looking for the squad lists because I've been sleeping on this squad of Colombians. So far, they've been giving the Argies all they can handle and it's a bit of a surprise to me.
btw, did you see Romero jump out of the way of Moreno bearing down on him? What is wrong with that guy? He's a pro-keeper, how?
Yeah - no doubt if I watched more La Liga stuff, I'd recognize a few. But I just don't have the time.
Where does Romero play?
Decent save by Martinez there from Batista.
Zavaletta should have been in the World Cup squad last summer when there weren't any fullbacks in the squad and Maradonna had to resort to playing strikers in those positions when a perfectly good fullback had to say home.
This weather looks like Dundee in November. Is it really that cold in Argentina in the winter? I suppose so.
That was a chance for the Argies, but the player shot straight at the keeper.
I still don't see why the Argentines can't get this together and score at will. Messi not getting into that groove. Levezzi not quite good enough? Really hard to understand that they're not better at home.
I would have even had Zanetti in before Gutierrez, even if he is 85.
Have you ever seen Messi get into his groove while playing for Argentina?
I don't know what it is about the Barca system that brings it out in him.
When we faced Moreno, he was at Braga, I think.
I think Romero plays in La Liga. I think it is usually in the 40's and 50's in Argentina during the winter.
A lot of hacking being done at the back by the Argies - they're definitely beaten for pace here.
I think that is correct as he played in the Europa League Final.
I'd look worth a trial if I played with Iniesta and Xavi. Messi? Can't figure it out.
It looks parkier than that but then Tevez does wear his snood into April.
I agree.They can do that for a certain period of time before the ref loses patience.
I agree. Tev has worn a snood during comparatively mild weather.
Oooh - the Red Balls v. DC U-Bite-It. Is that a home match, Gooner?
Tev looks shagged as his teammates have failed to provide any support.
Moreno's shot is blocked as the Argies defense is exposed yet again.
Better from Messi with a great long ball to Tev , but the Colombians read the danger as they are more organized than the Argies.
42 degrees in Santa Fe right now
Oh - Falcao rips one at goal and Romero palms away.
The commentator has mentioned that he plays for Porto. I do remember he had a prolific partnership with that bloke Hulk.
Romero beats away a long range effort from the lively Falcao as the Argies desperately clear.
Falcao scored a great header to win the Europa League for Sporting Lisbon.
That's funny. I saw that ad 3 weeks ago for the Red Balls vs Arsenal. It turns out that it's a match part of the Emirates Cup in London.
42F? That's like a balmy spring day here. The students are out in their shorts and flippy floppies in that kind of weather. What's wrong with this lot?
Romero turns an effort from Romero around the post.
This is making a bit more sense now if Colombia have strikers for the two sides that were in the Europa League Final this season. That's nae bad.
The Argies had trouble defending the corner as the Colombians had an unchallenged header.
One minute of stoppage time.
Messi is down as there is far less play acting than during the Gold Cup.
Messi's pranged himself now.
Could be a bit rainy or drizzly too. At least they have that long sleeves on. Those idiot Brazilians the other night had the short sleeves with gloves and they looked like prawns.
The ref blows for halftime and the home fans are far from impressed as it is 0-0.
Anyone else think that the Argentina coach looks a bit like Tony Hadley out of Spandau Ballet? Or maybe the "Smooth Operator" guy out of the Sade video?
Right, lads. That was a bit rubbish. It's popcorn time.
Same here mate. Great minds. Back after I scarf a small bowl.
I was thinking of ice cream. It is the same idea. I did not see the Argentine coach. Is he any worse than Maradonna.
There is a classic tomorrow as Bolivia play Costa Rica (sarcasm). I will be traveling to Dallas, so I will be unavailable for this classic.
We're back on for the second half and I'm enjoying a large bowl of the good stuff. I am a footie addict, but even I don't think I'm up for Bolivia v. CR.
Messi is off injured and has been replaced. Not sure who's taken his place yet - should be Aguerro.
The second half is underway from Santa Fe, Argentina.
Not sure why the fans are wanting a penalty.
It hit the defender on the forehead, not his hand.
Where is that Angelo DiMario fella from Real tonight? If fit, I'd have him on and of course Masch - my least favorite player in world footie - off.
Never a pen.
Masch had an effort beaten away by the keeper.
Di Maria must be injured. I don't even see him listed in the squad and he'd be there.
Tev had a header beaten away, but was judged to be offside.
Well, finally a bit of genius from Messi. Amazing vision and technique to lay that on for whoever it was that brushed the post.
I've got "Men of a Certain Age" on the telly now and the link on the laptop with the volume muted. It is the season ender, after all.
Here comes Arguero. Bets on who goes off? I think Levezzi.
Great multitasking , BD. My wife was watching America's Got Talent.
Levezzi has been poor. He is definitely out of his league.
DVRing MOACA so schtumm.
Finally it's Aguerro on for Lavessi who didn't impress tonight.
Aguero is on for Levezzi and and I am not sure who is on for Cambiasso.
Tev has a shot deflected for a corner.
Will do, mate. No DVR of course. Still in the dark ages.
Gago on for Cambiaso too. I don't think Cambiaso featured much this half. Those Guardian podcasters are mad for Gago so I'm watching him
That was a poor first pass from Aguero meant to be for Tev.
I am not familiar with Gago . He was not part of Maradonna's motley crew last summer.
Oh - Moreno was a whisker away there.
Okay - Batista is Bryan Ferry as Dracula - no?
Falacao had only Romero to beat,bit shot straight at the keeper.
Gago's been the next thing for about two years, but so far, all that change has done has been to release the Colombian hounds. Dear oh dear mate, either side of the keeper, please,
Nice little pass through from Messi. I'm surprised that he's still on. I thought he'd gone off at the half.
That sounds like an accurate , BD. Aguero was through, but his poor control let him down.
I wouldn't mind seeing Colombia stick away a winner now. They've been well worth it.
I like it. Bat-cula. There's definitely something of the night about him.
Oh definitely. I've got nothing for this bunch of underachievers. I'm in the tank for Colombia here.
Looking at Messi there, I wonder if he's just trying too hard. Trying to hit Tevez tonight just hasn't come off for him at all.
Last roll of the dice for Ferry/Dracula.
Higuain is now on for the Argies.
It's Higuain on.
Higiuin on for Banega who I wasn't aware of these past 72 minutes.
He's coming off a really bad injury, no? Pretty desperate times for Argentina now.
Could they progress if they draw or worse, lose?
Yeah - he was injured at the back of the season for Real.
Colombia a little loose in the mid now. They could use a fresh sub now because the Argies are turning this up a little bit.
I agree - Higuain is adding a bit of zip to the front for the Argies now.
Pathetic dive there by the wee man Gaga. Really looking for it.
Not a sausage from the resulting free kick. Under ten to go now.
It's in their DNA. I'm surprised not to see it before now. They're really in the s**t and that always brings that side of their character out.
Messi's really looking out of sorts now with his hands on knees.
Messi and Tev look really frustrated. A picture is worth 1000 words.
Wow, that really isn't the posture that you expect from the runaway Balon D'or candidate. Messi doesn't look like he's enjoying his football at the moment.
Messi continues to look frustrated.
Enormous expectations on his shoulders in a side that's just not clicking under Batista. I'd say shitcan Dracula back Crazy Diego.
Yeah, it's like he's having a nervous breakdown he's so frustrated.
There's got to be someone else. What's Diego Simione doing these days. He knew how to jee up a team.
Falcao is being replaced by Gutierrez as the Colombians seem content to play for a 0-0 draw.
Teo on for Falcao. Messi nearly through with a bit of trickery.
Messi goes on a nice run, but is well tackled by Yepes for a corner.
Soto of Mainz is on for Colombia.
Soto for Ramos now.
Messi fails to find Aguero as we enter stoppage time.
Ahh, that's a bit crap. What was Teo(?)'s hurry there. Run at Romero and see what happens I think.
Bit of argybargy now between the chippy Gaga and a Colombian.
Colombia tightening it up for the draw now.
Really casual again by Zaba.
One minute of stoppage time remaining.
Two corners in quick succession for Colombia.
A flurry for Colombia here now. The Argies snter the dread stage where they've settled for not allowing a goal.
Another corner and everyone's up.
Lots of boos ringing the ground now from the home fans. They're not happy and I'm not surprised. Really poor. Colombia seem destined for the quarters now with four points and a match against Bolivia to come.
The match ends in a 0-0 draw as the Argentine fans are vocal by booing their team off the field.
0-0, and the Argies are really up against it now. I think that's the crowd jeering them off that I hear.
I will be off to Dallas tomorrow and will be back Sunday evening.
Enjoy your trip, mate. Catch you later.
It would be absolutely crazy if the Argies slipped up in their final group game and didn't progress to the next round in their home tourney.
Right. Night boys. I'm knackered.
Uruguay vs Chile and Mexico vs Peru is a double header in the next few days after the potential yawnfeast to be played tomorrow.
That's it for me too, lads. I have to be up at the asscrack for another workshop tomorrow. Nice chatting with you. Off to bed.
Good night BD and Gooner
Cheers!
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