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!
Later, we've got Italy v. Austria. The Italians have had a perfect start to this tournament, winning three on the trot without conceding a goal. They were in a relatively weak group, so we'll see if the Austrians can test them a a bit.
Join me around noon for all of the action.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:14 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!
516 Comments:
The Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam is the venue for the first of the Euro 2020 knockout games and it features two of this tournament’s most popular sides. There is a real feel-good element to this match.
In the Predictions Game:
The Bee's Knees, MUR, Red Devil, The Saint, Teddy, and UWS have chosen Wales to progress to the Quarterfinal stage.
No one has picked Wales, interestingly.
Afternoon Boys
I take it you meant Denmark
Poulsen not involved today for the Danes
Hardly any Welsh fans allowed in Holland
Welcome, Dave - Yeah - sorry, all of you chose the Danes over Wales.
I just heard that. Also the snafu with testing means that it will be a small crowd at the Cruyff Arena today.
The team news out of Amsterdam this evening:
Wales (4-2-3-1): Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Morrell, Allen; Bale, Ramsey, James; Moore.
Denmark (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Larsen, Hoejbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Braithwaite, Dolberg, Damsgaard.
Here's a bit of trivia that MUR would appreciate:
Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Ward will become the first two Leicester City goalkeepers to face each other in the knockout stages of a major international tournament this evening.
Anthems now - it's clear that the Danes are the favored side in the stadium tonight. A Welsh win would be an upset.
Ian Rush in the stadium tonight roaring on his boys.
Wales have a commemorative shirt for Christian Eriksen just like Belgium did. Nice touch.
Poulsen must be hurt!
we are off
Welsh players all taking a knee - Danish players not. Interesting.
We're away in Amsterdam - come on, you Leek Eaters!
Did Double T just says "Walesh?"
Ball almost found a sprinting James
Listening to Talksport...I can never understand a lot of presenters want Wales or Scotland to lose!
Some are old enough for the 74 and 78 WC...we only had Scotland to root for!
I expect this one to be a very competitive one that could easily go to extra time and pens. Interestingly, no one predicted that it would be the first to go to a penalty shoot-out.
I am torn between the Walesh and the Danelsh.
Pretty crappy free kick but luckily get corner
I don't get that either. Also, most of the Welsh and Scottish fans who call in want England to lose! That might just be jealousy.
I'm a bit torn, too, as of course the Danish response to the Eriksen loss has been inspiring. But I'm still for the "Walesh."
Welcome, Steve - great to have you on board.
It's no-consequence-for-stupid-internet comments culture. Most of the people who participate, you'd go a mile to dodge in real life.
I think it is the big bad English
I even wanted Liverpool, Forest, Villa to win the European Cup
Not so much these days tho
Hiya Steve
Could you imagine an England Wales semi final at Wembley!
Monkeyboy with his first chance to stretch his legs - his cross finds no one.
ooh...Bale cuts in...the let him go
Hit just wide
He sort of had to reach for it
Oh - Bale had a go from distance. Kind of sliced across the ball. That was a chance!
TT....please stop talking for ten minutes every time!1
Wales look very capable of winning here
ooh...mad scramble...cleared
TT busy yapping as Bale puts in a great pass....Jonno had to go back and tell us about it
Thanks. It's been a week of looking after Mel while Melanie ferries Carolyn to routine doctor visits and errands. Their wifi is tedious, but they get the ESPN networks on their telly so it could be worse. I always hate the last of the group stage played simultaneously because the Germans and Austrians cheated the Algerians once a long time ago. Banning them for three successive tournaments would have fixed it, but FIFA doesn't have the nerve to punish teams and they know it.
Bale with another shot...I don't mind that
Monkeyboy has another go from distance. Well wide this time, but he's getting a sight on goal.
I remember it well
I couldn't remember who else it affected
Of course, that WG/Aus match played the same way Spain plays now!
Wales definitely on top
Yeah - good start from the Welsh.
I remember the distraught Algerian fans at the fences waving stacks of cash at the field showing that they knew that the fix for that game had been settled. I also remember one of the old school commentators, Davies or Coleman going on and on and on about what a disgrace the two teams were.
Decent effort from Dan James there - Kasper collected. But at least Wales are having a go here. The Danes are merely soaking up pressure.
I agree, Steve - I remember that Germany-Austria "Anschluss Football" match - it was a disgrace. I'm not sure how you stop it.
You play the last matches simultaneously
Germany won the game so Austria have a lot to answer for
Danes starting to dominate
Yeah - I meant without playing the games simultaneously. Steve was saying that he hates it because you always miss out on one match per group. I agree but I don't see any other solution.
Isn't that just the FIFA way, though. They're fine with kicking England out for an extended run of tournaments because their fans were out of control, but given a clear example of players cheating, nothing but the onerous condition of playing two matches at the same time making neither very enjoyable, either to watch simultaneously or to watch on delay when you know the outcome. I hate it.
Nice finish
One nil Danes
Is Kasper going to do a Peter!!
GOAL! Dolberg draws first blood for the Danes - nice finish!
Wow. What a hit from Dolberg! What the hell is TT talking about? Someone take him in hand.
VAR check for offside but the goal stands.
1-0 Denmark
Covid twice and appendicitis? Crikey!
What are you on about Kasper touching his Peter USW? Sounds like you have contracted a case of the Twellmans yourself.
Was Peter the keeper for the Danish side that won the Euros? I don't remember.
Yeah. Peter might have been co-captain for that side.
The Welsh seem rattled now. Danes starting to dominate after a slow start.
He was a United player too. He joined in '91
Those were my dark days of flowing Utd and England
Welsh Brexit fans might be rueing their vote today.
The Welsh are riddled with second team or second league players. The Danish all play at a higher level. Add their team spirit playing for Eriksen, they're a bit dangerous at this level. But run them through the thresher of Italy, Belgium, and what France and Portugal should be playing like, that'l be it.
I can't see this Danish side getting that much farther in this tournament. They'd get Italy/Austria in the next match, right?
News out of the Prem
Rafa days away from joining Everton
Yeah. I too lost whole Arsenal sides during the dark ages. Those trivia quizzes always cough up players that I don't remember at all.
Bob, you really need to know your brackets
No, they take on the winner of Netherlands/Czechs in England's half of the draw
Have Spurs offered Bruce Arena the job yet? I know it looks like the Wolves guy, but I can dream.
Oh dear - Conor Roberts has injured himself stretching for that pass. Doesn't look good.
Top Half
Belgium/Portugal vs Italy/Austria
France/Switzerland vs Croatia/Spain
Bottom Half
Sweden/Ukraine vs England/Germany
Netherlands/Czech Rep vs Wales Denmark
Thanks, Dave - I haven't had the chance to look at the brackets in the last few days. Busy with house projects.
The Bracket is very top heavy in my book
That's why I wanted England to win the group
No trubs
Moore in the book and would miss next match
Kiefer Moore picks up the yellow card for landing an elbow on Kjar. That keeps him out of a quarterfinal.
And Neco Williams comes on for Conor Roberts. Looking bad for Wales right now.
LOL! That would be nice to see Arena wash up in the Prem.
I think Steve should take over at WHL
Not sure what Double T and Jon Champion were on about there - that seemed a routine yellow for me. Moore needs to keep his arms down.
Wonder if they can appeal the yellow
Doubt it
I didn't see it but they say they were down
I can see your point about England being on the easier side of the bracket. I just think that if England is going to get knocked out this time, I'd prefer to see them get knocked out by a decent side. I'm tired of the post-mortems about how English football is in crisis after an exit to the likes of Iceland.
Two minutes of stoppage time to come.
Big chance for the Danes...maybe should have passed OR try for the back post
Here's a novel idea...don't get knocked out!
HT
1-0 Danes
I would be no worse than Villas-Boas at WHL. But I promise I would try very hard to be.
Off for the second half
COME ON YOU DRAGONS
You could buy Bale outright... win both North London derbies
Perfect match
Two nil
AWFUL clearance
Ball was going across the box to no-one
Wales want a foul way back
VAR is checking for the foul
Check over
Clattenburg never makes any sense or answer any questions
Ramsey has done nothing today!
He was so good against the Turks
Just back from a bite of lunch to see the Danish go 2-0 up. Oh dear - poor old Wales.
Come on Wales!!
Get a goal back and make it interesting
I think Clattenberg is getting in the sherry during these matches.
Great cross ... Bale takes it off Moore's head
I'd love to see Kiefer Moore get one in off his big bum right about now.
The next match is from Wembley
Phil Thornalley posted a video of the Azure's Bus leaving their hotel. They are staying close to his London flat
The Welsh need some real urgency now. Come on!
James with a shot....blocked
Oh - Dan James had a half-chance there but his shot was blocked. I think it was going wide anyway.
Going well wide...he really has not end product
If he were Leeds, he'd have buried that one!
Come on...a goal would change everything
Steadfast Danish defense now.
Joe Allen tries a Scholesey effort from the Monkeyboy long throw. Well over the bar.
Oh - Jensson with a teasing effort there that just drifted wide.
RUBBISH...Holland didn't play like Spain/Barca!
Oooh, almost three
Leeds man about to come on to be a hero
Okay - this is what the Welsh need. A bit of LUFC magic! Tyler Roberts being prepared.
Nice turn by Allen..shot blocked
Neat turn by Joe Allen in the box but his shot was blocked.
Davies and Hojbjerg with a horrible collision there.
Cornelius on for the goalscorer Dolberg now.
As Bob said...show some urgency
Denmark getting the Ole treatment from the crowd now.
Harry Wilson goes down in the box - not even an appeal.
I hope Bale's as uninspired in the League as he is today for Wales.
Thanks for the shout-out, Dave!
He hasn't been good, has he?
Jon Champion is dissing Tyler Roberts now! Go on, Ty - shame him with a ten minute hat-trick!
Cornelius with a great run before being unceremoniously hacked down by Brooks Willie Young style. Yellow card for him.
Didn't you think that when Bournemouth were last in the Prem that you would see more of David Brooks than we have. I thought a lower place ball-playing team would pick him up. Maybe Bournemouth wouldn't have it? Or maybe the kind of tackle he just made put suitors off. Sheesh, I can pick 'em.
And then there's Denmark's Braithwaite? He's at Barca and he plays? I only see him for Denmark, and hardly ever for Barca. What's the attraction there, I wonder.
Cornelius is really putting himself about in the way that Tyler Roberts should be right now.
I don't understand the attraction - Braithwaite has seemed second rate in this tournament.
The Welsh are going out with a whimper here.
Cornelius is throwing himself to the deck more than I have a taste for. He's learned the wrong lessons at Parma for a galoot his size.
oooh...how as that not three!
Oh - to underscore the point, Braithwaite puts one onto the post from point blank range!
Oh, Martin. How did you miss that sitter. He should have netted that and Denmark should have a 3-0 scoreline.
I'm grateful for the LOB consensus about Braithwaite.
I'm always charmed by the Scandinavian players who look like proper Vikings.
That's that for Denmark - Maele roofs one and the Welsh are down and out. Sad.
That is three
That is it
On this form, the Danes will give the Dutch a decent match.
Insult added to injury as Mehle has so much room and time to blast home the Danes' deserved third.
Harry Wilson...a red card!!
Second Welshman to get the card
I think a yellow would have been fine
Oh dear - now Harry Wilson has been sent off, the second Welshman to see red in this tournament.
A bit soft - yellow at worst. For once I agree with Double T.
No reason for a red...it is injury time!
I'll look forward to the Chris Sutton/Robbie Savage banter on 606 after this one. Robbie has been giving Chris a lot of stick about England.
Danes will meet the Dutch or Czechs in Baku a week from today
Bale gets a card...he's out of the next match if Wales score 4 in the next three minutes
100% yellow. That's a ridiculous red card for Wilson. Siebert the German ref is way too harsh. But that's Wales made kaput now. All done
Oh - Martin finally has his moment but it's chalked off by the offside flag.
Ball in the net again...flag up!
Tom predicted 4-0 after the first goal
I don't know what would be called but that is the type of a goal that should count
It counts
NostraTomus
It is a goal - 4-0! Ouch!
That is it
A Great Dane result
Well done, Tom - unfortunately, he was not one of the players who predicted that Denmark would go through to the Quarters.
The Bee's Knees, MUR, Red Devil, The Saint, Teddy, and UWS all start this round with three points for Denmark.
Wales were the better team for the first 20 minutes
Denmark...back to back 4 goal games!!
His Dad and Bro did!
I didn't expect that one to clear the clear mistake hurdle, but there's Braithwaite's last gasp curtain closer. Wales were played off the pitch by the Danes today. I'll be back for the Italy encounter next.
See. you guys in an hour
Nice moment - the two Leicester goalkeepers greeting each other.
See you in an hour then.
I'm back for the build up to the Italy v. Austria match. Everyone is assuming that the Italians will win this one at a canter.
The team news for this one:
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi, Immobile, Insigne.
Subs: Sirigu, Locatelli, Belotti, Pessina, Emerson Palmieri, Chiesa, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Raspadori, Bastoni, Toloi, Meret.
Austria: Bachmann, Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba, Xaver Schlager, Grillitsch, Laimer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Arnautovic.
Subs: Alexander Schlager, Ulmer, Posch, Ilsanker, Gregoritsch, Pervan, Baumgartlinger, Lienhart, Trimmel, Schaub, Schopf, Kalajdzic.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England).
Both Ciro Immobile and Manuel Locatelli are on two goals from the first three matches.
Locatelli not in the line up!
TT takes an age asking a question....says his genius comment and then says...am I right or wrong ?
In the predictions game, MUR plumped for Austria's Martin Hinteregger to be the First Red Card. This could be the last opportunity to cash in on that valuable one point.
Good Afternoon everyone . Back from a really stressful morning in Harlingen. Sparky spent the night at the vet , but is back home. We also had to get after the person, who is painting/ doing light repairs/ cleaning to the house we're trying to sell.
Italy must be overwhelming favorites to win at Wembley today. Austria only advanced because they were in a weak group
Alessandro Del Piero appears to be supremely embarrassed to be in the same studio with Double T. I'm not sure that the visa was worth it.
Welcome David
Hope everything is ok?
TT just wanted to answer his own questions
Welcome, David - I'm sorry to hear that it was a stressful evening for you. I hope you can settle in with a beverage and enjoy this one with us.
Out comes Italy and followed by the Austrians
When did Italy stop wearing white shorts
Looks like Austrian's are wearing red shirts
Hopefully Italy are wearing Blue
The teams are out at Wembley and enjoying the anthems now. Looks like a lovely evening in northwest London.
Thanks Bob and Dave. Everything doing well. Sparky back home and hopefully the finishing touches on the house by Wednesday. Elizabeth and I will be glad when the house finally does sell
The winner of this match takes on the winner of Belgium/Portugal next Friday in Munich
The vast majority of fans seem to be Italian . Almost like a home match for them
Looks like the Italians are wearing blue
Oh how Tony would have loved to be watching this match
One of my favorite anthems now.
No service in the Italian restaurants around London tonight, says Peter Drury.
I didn't realize that Gio Vialli is one of Bobby Manc's assistants
Arsenal about to kick off
They're off from wembley
LOL, Dave! Definitely looking like the Gunners and just down the road from where they play
Crazy how the Italians didn't qualify for the Word Cup last time out...that is something England do!!
We're away and the Austrians are trying to punk Italy on doors.
Naughty by Arnautovic on Barella , but not as bad as the Italian is making it out to be
Good start from the Austrians
Arno with high studs...the earlier ref would have given him a red card...Anthony Taylor smartly gives a yellow
Early booking g for Arnautovic. I wonder if anyone picked him for first red card
11 straight wins without conceding a goal!
Will they fold after they concede? Let's hope they do...in the Final...against England
Sorry to hear that but glad things are looking up. Dealing with contractors requires a special kind of patience and a stiff drink afterwards.
Ian Darke and Stewart Robson is the only commentary duo not in the Studio. They have announced all of the games live at Wembley and a couple more from a studio in London...I would think
Bad boy Arnautovic would have been a good shout for the First Red Card. Sadly, no one picked him.
You picked Martin Hinteregger for the First Red Card, so you're the only one in this one, as Giorgio Chiellini was chosen but is out with a hamstring injury.
Ian Darke mentioned Mancini's last visit to Wembley not a happy one as Citeh lost to Wigan in the Cup Final and he was sacked two days later
Good to see that kind of nonsense from Arsnoutivic curtailed early doors. One suspension already and bid for another straight away.
Good Afternoon Steve and thanks. The realtor told me the same about contractors. I am starting to lose my patience with him.
I winder if anyone picked Arnautovic for first red card
Nice thru ball almost in...nothing wrong with that slide...grow up keeper!
Immobile raced away onto a through ball from Barella but he left something on Bachmann and the Austrian keeper wasn't terribly pleased about it.
This is getting to be a rough game...someone won't last the 90 if it keeps going
Danny BTO upset that Immobile slid into him. It looked like he slid because of the wet pitch more than anything else. The big Hornets keeper needs got get over it
I don't want upset here
I want Italy to knock off the Belgians or Portuguese
Immobile tried to temper that challenge only for the Austrian to make meat and two veg out of it. Wisely Taylor doesn't want any of part of that.
I have a feeling Martin Hinterigger could be off for an early bath
I love these days when I can just relax and watch the other teams play without being nervous about England.
I like this Italy team...they get the ball and move it forward quickly
Post a Comment
<< Home