Football Focus

[Mick Mac]

???? Wrote:

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> BTW seen the photo of Russian and English fans

> having a kick about yesterday in Lille...French

> police reaction? confiscate the ball.

Quite right - but if only it had been confiscated before Russia equalised.

[Otta]

I definitely think last weekend was mainly the fault of the hardcore Russian guys, but not on this occasion. However, I totally agree that the police are storming in over nothing and creating a lot of the problem.

[Alan Medic]

A colleague was telling me that his friend is over there and for the most part everyone is having a ball. Plenty of mingling of different nationalities. Obviously the press/TV like to highlight the problems.

[Mick Mac]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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Obviously the press/TV like to

> highlight the problems.

And so they should to be honest. There are people all over the world who are having a good time every day, it's news when they don't.

[JohnL]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> ???? Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > BTW seen the photo of Russian and English fans

> > having a kick about yesterday in Lille...French

> > police reaction? confiscate the ball.

>

>

> Quite right - but if only it had been confiscated

> before Russia equalised.

The Police joined in the photo of the England Wales fans match.

Maybe it's Russia :)

[Alan Medic]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Alan Medic Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> Obviously the press/TV like to

> > highlight the problems.

>

> And so they should to be honest. There are people

> all over the world who are having a good time

> every day, it's news when they don't.

Who are these people?

[Alan Medic]

This was nice given the awful circumstances.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/14/euro-2016-republic-of-ireland-fans-solidarity-northern-ireland-fan

[????]

Overall it's not really caught fire yet this tournament* - Agree?

*exceptions being Payet and Northern Ireland

[Jah Lush]

Payet has been exceptional. You may have to kiss goodbye to him if the big boys come in for him which is highly likely after his stunning performances.

Northern Ireland were bloody brilliant yesterday. I think the tournament's very enjoyable so far and it will only get better once the knockout stages start. I haven't missed a game yet. Looking forward to Italy v Sweden this afternoon and Spain v Turkey tonight.

[red devil]

Apart from last night's bore draw I've really enjoyed it too, most games have had an excellent atmosphere, the French singing Le Marseillaise in the Stade de Velodrome was spine tingling. Agree it will only get better with the knock-out stages...

[Jah Lush]

I have a friend who has two tickets for the final of Euro 2016 but he is getting married on that day and cannot attend. If anyone wants to go instead of him, it's at St Andrews Church in Brighton and the bride?s name is Rachel.

[JohnL]

Apparently Wales and Russia fans getting along just fine at the moment #WALRUS

(unfortunately the official hashtag is #RUSWAL :( )

[malumbu]

Struth. I've got tickets for the fourth quarter final. Hoping of course it would be Frande Wales.

But now... anyone but England please. I don't want to get into small minded nationalistic bolloxs. Getting pissed and singing Ingerland, Ingerland in the local square. And skirmishes and fights. I am a republican and an atheist. WTF would I want to sing the national anthem of the UK? We only have one song. Well about three actually.

I saw the US in Brazil. Their fans are annoying but passionate and creative. I've loved the Welsh, Northern Irish and ROI fans. But not ours.

And there could be a perfect storm if we leave Europe.

Spose I will just have to support the French then. I was in Gelsenkirchen 10 years ago trying to score some tickets for Argentina vs England. I met some people from my home town who told me whilst they lived in England they supported Scotland as there dad was Scottish. And we had a round of Flower of Scotland. That is a good one. Brings tears to the eyes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vkYiCdn834

Was trying to also find a clip of the Metropolitan Police band who used to play at Islington Library at 3pm in the 70s but none seem to exist.

[Jah Lush]

I agree about the singing. Fooking shite. You can shove the NA. I wouldn't want to be singing that either. On the other hand they made a great noise backing the team. You do tend to get fans from the smaller clubs at England games and there is lot of nationalistic shite that turn up but anyway back to the game.

I thought Dier was absolutely superb again tonight, even barking out instructions to Cahill and Stirling. Definitely my Man of the Match. I don't think he misplaced a pass all night and he set up Sturridge with two great chances, one sublime ball over the top that he should have scored from.

In midfield Henderson and Lallana did ok but both of them lack goals (neither has scored for England despite having more than 50 caps between them). Wilshire is clearly not match fit and gave the ball away too often and was way off the pace. Dele Alli has to start ahead of him.

Clyne was the better of the two full-backs by a long shot. I don't rate Bertrand much so Rose has to come back for him in the next match.

Up front Vardy was the better of the two. I thought Sturridge was poor tonight. Kane and Vardy up front next game for me.

Although we're lacking the killing instinct in front of goal at the moment, hopefully it will come. Let's stay positive, we're unbeaten and through to the next round.

[Otta]

I was totally entertained last night. Once I switched to Game of Thrones at half time.

Don't get me wrong, England bossed the first half completely, and looked pretty good. But I just couldn't stand watching more of it without a goal (and I figured if I turned over they'd score immediately. Like going for a piss in the pub during a match).

Bertrand is a red card waiting to happen. That elbow to the face early on was very unsafe play, and he was lucky not to get booked for it.

[Jeremy]

Load of shite. If they can't beat Russia or Slovakia they shouldn't even be there. Thoroughly expecting them to get sent packing in the next round.

[titch juicy]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> I agree about the singing. Fooking shite. You can

> shove the NA. I wouldn't want to be singing that

> either. On the other hand they made a great noise

> backing the team. You do tend to get fans from the

> smaller clubs at England games and there is lot of

> nationalistic shite that turn up but anyway back

> to the game.

>

> I thought Dier was absolutely superb again

> tonight, even barking out instructions to Cahill

> and Stirling. Definitely my Man of the Match. I

> don't think he misplaced a pass all night and he

> set up Sturridge with two great chances, one

> sublime ball over the top that he should have

> scored from.

>

> In midfield Henderson and Lallana did ok but both

> of them lack goals (neither has scored for England

> despite having more than 50 caps between them).

> Wilshire is clearly not match fit and gave the

> ball away too often and was way off the pace. Dele

> Alli has to start ahead of him.

>

> Clyne was the better of the two full-backs by a

> long shot. I don't rate Bertrand much so Rose has

> to come back for him in the next match.

>

> Up front Vardy was the better of the two. I

> thought Sturridge was poor tonight. Kane and Vardy

> up front next game for me.

>

> Although we're lacking the killing instinct in

> front of goal at the moment, hopefully it will

> come. Let's stay positive, we're unbeaten and

> through to the next round.

I agree with every word of this!

I thought we played well last night. Slovakia must have the same defensive coaching team as England rugby!

We had 29 efforts (most in the tournament so far), 13 of which were blocked (which is a HUGE amount).

[Jah Lush]

I've just noticed my error in that post - Obviously I meant Smalling instead of Stirling.

[malumbu]

Watching a team that that are better known for defending rather than creativity, I know that we will lose most times at the Emirates because the Arse have the talent to unlock our defence. That should have been the case last night. You can see the world half full at ITV did, or the reality check of BBC sport that put a disappointing display into context.

Did we win one cross into the penalty area all night? That was of course the crosses that cleared the first man, and that didn't clear the last man. Not too many of these

Hey ho, if it is England/France then it should be more entertaining. And not all England fans are those that I tend to stereotype. Just on previous experience - Cologne when England were arriving and Manaus when England were leaving - there was an unpleasant atmosphere in town.

[red devil]

Malumbu, Flower of Scotland is right up there when it comes to nationalistic songs, it started off as a folk song that was popular with the Nats and later football fans. I don't have have a problem with fans wanting to sing their NA, the French do it all the time, so you better learn Les Marseilles before you go, but don't expect the lyrics to translate as bluebirds hanging out the washing for Snow White though. The problem for me is that GSTQ is a such a dirge and it shouldn't be England's anthem, it's GB's anthem. The other home countries have their own specific anthem, why not us?...

 

[JohnL]

red devil Wrote:

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> Malumbu, Flower of Scotland is right up there when

> it comes to nationalistic songs, it started off as

> a folk song that was popular with the Nats and

> later football fans. I don't have have a problem

> with fans wanting to sing their NA, the French do

> it all the time, so you better learn Les

> Marseilles before you go, but don't expect the

> lyrics to translate as bluebirds hanging out the

> washing for Snow White though. The problem for me

> is that GSTQ is a such a dirge and it shouldn't be

> England's anthem, it's GB's anthem. The other home

> countries have their own specific anthem, why not

> us?...

>

>

Always thought 'Jerusalem' for England

Welsh have been singing 'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' all tournament and the other teams join in (to an extent) :)

[red devil]

Not sure the average England fan would be able to learn all those lyrics, needs to be catchier too, something you can fist pump to with a pint in hand. Billy Connolly once joked that the theme tune for The Archers would be more welcoming and easier for immigrants to learn, so if we Remain, that could be the way forward...

[Mick Mac]

red devil Wrote:

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> Malumbu, Flower of Scotland is right up there when

> it comes to nationalistic songs, it started off as

> a folk song that was popular with the Nats and

> later football fans. I don't have have a problem

> with fans wanting to sing their NA, the French do

> it all the time, so you better learn Les

> Marseilles before you go, but don't expect the

> lyrics to translate as bluebirds hanging out the

> washing for Snow White though. The problem for me

> is that GSTQ is a such a dirge and it shouldn't be

> England's anthem, it's GB's anthem. The other home

> countries have their own specific anthem, why not

> us?...

>

>

That would leave only NI singing GSTQ - they wont give that up easily. Would be ironic if England gave it up and NI kept it.

My pleasure at NI getting through last night was affected slightly by seeing fans with huge flags with Rangers emblems on them at the match - a clear sign from them I feel that catholics are still not welcome to be part of their support. That should be resolved.

[Jeremy]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> a clear sign from them I feel that catholics are

> still not welcome to be part of their support.

> That should be resolved.

Yep, N Irish lad I work with is supporting ROI... all a bit sad really (in both senses of the word)

[Mick Mac]

Friends from my hometown in NI on facebook

Protestant friends are sending pics of them at the NI matches

Catholic friends are sending pics of being at the ROI matches

But for a long term solution we could do something about the fans openly sporting their political/club loyalties at the games - there is a Flags and Emblems Act in NI which applies in for example workplaces, so you can't hang a flag that might intimidate the other side of the community.

Obviously doesn't apply in football grounds.

It would be nice if we could all go and support the same team and be welcome. That seems a long time off.