Scott7

Italy just about deserved that though England were the better side for about forty minutes. They believed their own hype, scored too soon and thought it was all over. If you don’t want to lose, don’t take smart alec penalties. Unmanly scenes at the end. Why do so many young people behave like toddlers? Over all, a disappointment.

Don’t think so but I was aboard Quibbler when she was in collision with Finicky, the Irish Coastguard vessel.

Or most often while in port. HMS Nitpicker

The starting eleven might have eventually done the job if they had stayed on though they should have done it in the first half hour.

Not quite an open goal but I know what you mean.

Maybe Barasic is the one who’s on his way? I feel a dose of pre-season doom and gloom coming on.

I prefer the traditional shot because most often that’s how you see it at a match. But last night’s view behind the taker gives a much better idea of the ‘keeper’s save if he makes one.

Good match, second half not as good as the first despite the two goals. Spain the better side until penalties. Nonetheless, if I were England, I’d rather play against Spain in the final. If I were Denmark, I couldn’t care less who turned up.

The pre-final final tonight. 2-1 win for one of them.

Which is more reliable?

I haven’t seen it except photos. Doesn’t look like City light blue. Sky blue maybe?

Good point. Centuries of repression and exploitation have turned us into a nation of shilpit wee nyaffs. In past times it didn’t matter because skill and speed could overcome the Saxon carthorses. Now these monsters have added athleticism to bulk. It’s even more obvious on the rugby field where erstwhile lumbering props and locks hare about the park pirouetting and using deft hand-skills that Paul Daniels would have been proud of.

He is a good player. A better team than celtic will prove that.

You’re right. No rest as such. Just a rest from 1966. We’ll have Euro 21 for the next 50 years but at least it’s different.

That Argentina-style outfit is nifty.

Italy allowed the penalty to upset them. Belgium should have equalised early in the second half. If they had done, did Italy have the mettle to prevent a winner? Two fine teams both better than England but England have the gift of being able to stultify more talented sides and to cope with the others. The Cup is theirs. At least we’ll get a rest from journos and broadcasters and celebs going on about 1966. Real supporters of England rarely mention it.

Footballer, not a bruiser.

Two interesting appointments. Nuno did a great job at Molineux. Can he do better than Pochettino at the new Lane? Benitez for Ancelotti is like for like in a different sort of way.

Could you see Jock Shaw or Willie Rae run out the tunnel dressed in that, compo?

Howe having failed to get the parkhead job has decided nothing else will do.

England since time immemorial.

They never learn, do they? Probably right for once.

Brora have been worthy champions for a few seasons but so were Keith and Huntly at one time and who knows anything about them now? There isn’t the population to sustain SPFL clubs. ICT crowds are pitiful. Ross County attract more than ICT but still not enough. Elgin with a population twice the size of any of the HL towns get about 400 at home games unless in a decent league position when 600 - 800 turn up, 1,200 if in a realistic title winning position. Travelling between Brora and Stranraer for these numbers makes no sense. Regional leagues might be the answer with the current SPFL 2 augmented and divided north and south.

I can’t think of one HL club that would merit league SPFL status, let alone two. Buckie Thistle, maybe. At least some people go to watch their games.

England for once have a good chance in a match with Germany that matters. I expect them to win and then beat Ukraine/Sweden and into the semi final at Wembley to overcome Denmark or the Czechs. Meanwhile, Switzerland having shot their gallant bolt last night will progress no further and only one of Belgium, Italy or Spain can get through. So, England tip-toeing to success? It could be coming, not home exactly, but to a property in the neighbourhood.