World Cup 2006. What an opening game. Attacking play, six goals, two screamers (floaty ball blamed already), Wanchope showing how bad the German defence really is – woo hoo. One of the more enjoyable opening games which I hope sets the scene for the next month or so.
The BBC HD service has also proved to be good according to AVForums…just hope Sky turn up at some point tomorrow and this time they can actually fit a dish. And provide a working box. And get my subscription up and running.
There was a real kerfuffle this week over Jack McConnell’s comments regarding England at the World Cup. So he won’t be supporting them. No big deal unless your an MP at Westminster hoping to make some petty gain from the statement or Jack Straw still stinging from his demotion. This Stuart Cosgrove quote summed up my feelings.
By what weasel arrangement are England fans allowed to dislike Argentina, Germany and France, while we have to snuggle up to them as if history and rivalry meant nothing?
This was taken from a Daily Record article which stated his position and his annoyance at the anger around Scots not supporting England. I have much the same view – I won’t be supporting England and it’s not anti-English, racist or whatever anyone else wants to paint it – it’s football and I don’t support them. I support Scotland who are surprisingly missing from this years tournament and hence I want a team that plays good football to win – no great allegiance to anyone. I do know that I don’t want England to win or even do well – they are a rival. There’s also another reason.
The most grating aspect of England at the World Cup is the hype and propaganda that the whole country has to suffer in the run up to and during the World Cup, even after they have been kicked out at an early stage (fingers crossed). For me summed up by the re-release of Escape To Victory – since when was it England vs Germany – John Wark was playing for them – Pele too. A free England flag as well. Agggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh. Same with Mars now called Believe. This is across of the whole of the UK – not just England. The whole Rooney broken foot saga is also getting out of hand with Alex Ferguson now getting cast as the nasty Scots villain. Tragic.
Saying that it’s less than a fortnight until it all kicks off. Can’t wait. I’m hoping for a more open tournament and some real performances from the flair players.
So Rangers have finally confirmed that Paul le Guen is the new manager, only the twelth in their history. No big surprise except for the way it was announced – via their website and not with a big press conference. Hopefully Le Guen will use the war chest he’s been promised wisely – too many managers in the past have spent vast amounts of money for very little return – Flo anyone?
McLeish did a good job on very little money. Tuesday nights exit from the Champions League was typical of Scottish teams in Europe – so near but yet so far. Shame.
To finish on a moan – why does the official Rangers website only show the league up to 2nd place? Shocking that they can’t accept that Celtic are runaway league winners this year. Poor form.
Scotland 18 – 12 England. What a match. At the end of the first half I had real doubts about the Scots. They had to defend most of the half and it was looking grim. Second half though saw the English tire badly and the Scots had most of the possession. Great performance, great defence but most importantly a great win and thoroughly deserved. Disappointed that we had the Scottish commentary team not because they were poor – would have loved to have heard what Jeremy Guscott had to say after that win.
Jill Douglas – At what point did you think you could beat England
Frank Hadden – Last week
Loved that quote – summed up the confidence that Scotland now have. Bring on the Irish.
Woo-hoo. A 2-2 draw is a pretty good result. Could we sneak an away win? Well – I can but hope. What was Prso doing though? Hard to criticise arguably our best player but to handle the ball in the box in the manner that he did in the first five minutes of such an important game…Alan Sugar’s quote in tonights Apprentice sums it up.
Anchor to wanker.
Yes it was at home, yes the French had injuries but did anyone really expect Scotland to not only win but play so well at the same time. I’m not a rugby fan but there’s something about the Six Nations that captivates me and a whole host of other sport but non-rugby supporters.
The true test is not next week against the Welsh but two weeks today against England who looked awesome on Saturday. However let’s enjoy this win while we can – it was fantastic
I laughed while watching the weather yesterday – not only was it to be a dry day in Glasgow but the presenter who was Scottish had a fun poke at Rangers by saying “wrap up warm if they are heading for Castle Grayskull”. For those not in the know this has been the slang term for Ibrox stadium for a long time. Pretty funny – nice one Kirsty.
I should have know there would be those who can’t see the funny side. Sunday Mail, page 5, outraged Gers fans. Twats – get a grip. Whats worse is the shoddy Sunday Mail reporting. Firstly it’s Grayskull not Greyskull. Secondly, and something I always thought was a bit odd – Castle Grayskull is where the hero’s are based in the He-Man cartoon, not the baddies. So whats the big deal? I’m more concerned about being 4th in the league than a throwaway comment on a weather report.
This is something I didn’t see coming. I like cricket, I loved The Ashes series and well done England for winning. The middle three tests were great to watch and all had tense endings. The end of this match was a bit of an anti-climax but none the less entertaining. What struck home the most was the level of competition between the two teams but also the sportsmanship and respect on display – unusual to see from an Aussie team.
A cautionary note – I hope the players don’t turn into celebrities like footballers in general and the England team (with wives) in particular. I couldn’t care less about there off pitch life’s, who they are married to or how many of them stay in magnificent houses. Keep to the sport – far more interesting. Take the hint Mrs Flintoff although he must be a sure bet for sports personality of the year.
There’s been a lot of talk about how good Andy Murray will be in the coming years – I thought he was pretty special already. Far more enjoyable to watch than Tiger Tim and lots more aggression too. People are already suggesting that Murray’s attitude and confidence will backfire – what drivel. His presence on the court is a shot in the arm for British tennis and just what was needed. I loved it when he strode up to the net and patted it in just had his opponent had in the second round. Some more fitness and stamina, a bit more experience and this will be the first Brit Scot in years with a chance of winning Wimbledon without looking for luck and opponents dropping out.
So what am I referring to? Why – the greatest cup final…ever. Last nights Champions League final was fantastic – non-stop entertainment, 3 fantastic Milan goals, a great comeback from Liverpool, a goal that wasn’t offside, a penalty that never was, tired players and then a fantastic penalty shoot-out with the old Grobbelaar legs back on display. That for me had everything and it must have been destiny – Liverpool put out Olympiakos when they looked dead and buried needing three goals and then put out Chelsea with a goal that never was. Great TV and how a final should be, not the bore’s that they have become recently. Just hope Eufa back down and let Liverpool defend their title.