What price an Italian Wimbledon and Euros double? Nah, screw that. No idea how this is going to pan out, but I believe Gareth has fashioned a side with great belief and resilience, team spirit and ability. I fear penalties and red cards, but other than that we have a shot. It's gonna be an emotional rollercoaster. Good luck lads
Of course, they are cheeky, witty, banterish Scots, perfectly acceptable to all, its the arrogant, zenophobic, drunken hooligans that support England that are the real problem.
Should we win just wait for the posts on you local facebook group 'we are wherever you live' on Monday from someone called Karen who has a knackered old garden set 'free for collection' but wants to say 'thanks to all the England fans who sung at midnight and let off fireworks, my goldfish was petrified and I had to go to work in the morning'
The English press should respond in turn if we win - Find a picture of the heads of Scottish rebels on pikes at London Bridge all wearing the face paint of the countries we've despatched
Sterling and Saka to get the ageing defenders onto yellow cards early then run and run at them.
As john boy said they would much rather man mark Kane rather than have him dropping deep creating space for the others to run into.
Agree with John boy because Kane is a superb passer of a ball and is the reason Son scores so many. Sterling will have to be sharper than a goal every five chances.
If the referee is too strict the England players will also get carded when Insigne, Veratti, Immobile etc attack them.
Spain passing game was excellent, England would've had about 25% of the play judging by their ball retention. Of course we could have still have won but not if Pickford was as erratic as the semi final with his poor throws and kicks.
I would say this, on paper, looks the closest World Cup or European Championships final I can remember for some time.
It was interesting, and a good lesson for someone like France who had all the talent but also all the egos, that the teams with, probably, the best team spirits made the semi finals. The two best team units and most deserving sides have made the final. That alone is satisfying to see.
England probably have a bit more individual quality than Italy so I think start slight favourites but it’s a very narrow margin that separates them.
In England’s favour: a few less miles in the legs, more pace in the team, youthful exuberance, probably the best centre forward at the tournament in Kane, more and better options on the bench, it’s at Wembley.
In Italy’s favour: quality in centre midfield, experience and shithousery skills, not carrying half a century of national trauma, it’s at Wembley.
It should be a fascinating match up between two committed, confident, and well managed teams who have both restored a nation’s faith in them. It’ll likely be settled by the finest of margins, and penalties feel a very strong possibility. I really hope it’s not penalties, it’ll be utter torture to watch if it happens and the sheer size of Donnarumma will surely give him an advantage over Pickford.
The bottom line is, though, that this England team have done everything, and more, that anyone could reasonably expectof them. They’ve performed well, played as a team, avoided any of the calamities that have so often befallen England teams in the past, and gone deep into the competition. Perhaps the last thing we need to see is them show up tomorrow and not freeze under the pressure, but you can never expect to win a tournament because too many things must align in your favour (it does feels like the fates have been working for England this time though).
Weirdly there’s probably less pressure on this game than vs. Denmark. Win or lose they’ve been a team you can really be proud of and throw the weight of your support behind. And I love the young, multicultural, progressive image of England that they are projecting out to the world - a reminder to our neighbours that, despite everything in the last 5 years or so, there’s still a lot of English folk who don’t think like Nigel Farage.
I really really want to see them go that final step and win it, but, whatever happens, I primarily hope they have now earned back people’s respect and we (or more so the media) can drop the “typical bloody England” narrative. Instead let’s enjoy the positives of this tournament and carry that momentum into next summer.
The game's afoot. Follow your spirit, and upon this charge, Cry 'God for Harry (Kane), England, and Saint Gareth!'
For me this tournament because of covid hasn't been the same as previous. Watching games at home is pretty depressing compared to say the last world cup where me and thousands of others were bringing borough/London bridge to a stand still. Typical England to get to the final where I can't celebrate by dancing drunk in a street with other like minded people singing that Southgate still turns me on.
I predict an England victory on the basis that i put a bet on Italy to win it at the start of the competition.
I backed Italy at a nice price before the tournament started .. for the first time for a long time I hope the bet fails (I've had a saver on England at 5/2 lol) .. Hard to call, Italy have looked vulnerable against both Austria and Spain, the latter with a better striker could well have won the semi .. England defensively look terrific and the strikers have done a good job with limited chances, the Italians look more creative in midfield .. probably the two best teams have got to the final. anyway, off the fence, it's England after extra time and possibly penalties .. the game will need a strong referee as Italy will be up to all their disruptive and niggling tricks, England of course will be models of gentlemanly behaviour.. Bjorn Kuipers the Dutchman in charge will need to be right on the case .. let's hope that there is no Euro solidarity, Brexit is forgiven and we get a good clean and well refereed game with loadsa goals and excitement ..
The English press should respond in turn if we win - Find a picture of the heads of Scottish rebels on pikes at London Bridge all wearing the face paint of the countries we've despatched
I really couldn't care less about Scotland. They're like that ex partner that constantly wants your attention when you're living with 2 Swedish blondes... I would imagine.
I backed England before the tournament, I backed Harry Kane to be top scorer and I’ve just backed us to win in 90 mins at 3-1 - I think they can all come off.
We need to score first against the Italians, force them to come out and then we have the players to hurt them on the counter.
A nervy first half will finish 0-0.
Kane to score around the 60 minute mark, and then we get a second in the final 5 as they push for an equaliser.
For me tomorrow is dedicated to all those lads and lasses who have followed England around the globe through the unsuccessful times, but in the most part have probably retired from the scene, either priced out or just alienated from modern football or just moved on in life generally.
But they did the hard graft, pre internet, pre cheap air travel. A week in a van or on the train for Poland away. They ran the gauntlet of the locals and the local police, when the numbers were few and it was every man for themselves. They were vilified by the press, police and the man on the street. They shed time, money, relationships and blood (I know of a Brighton fan who still gives now who lost an eye in Izmir in the 80’s).
No, they were not all angels and there were probably some right scum bags present at times, but they were the times and they went when few would go and on the wholes it was complete, consistent crap on the pitch, with a few memorable moments here and there.
Tomorrow is for them who are very unlikely to be at Wembley, not me, not the media, not ex players, not the celebs jumping on the bandwagon. It’s for Dave from Hull who did Italia 90 in a transit!
Yeah it's definitely real, was posted on their own twitter.
Personally i just see it as banter. I wouldn't want Scotland to win ever and i don't expect them to want us to win.
I agree. But in my years of personal involvement with Scots and Scotland, it's only banter when it's by the Scots. They tend to get upset and angry and take it personally when it's "banter" by us towards them. Funny that.
Yeah it's definitely real, was posted on their own twitter.
Personally i just see it as banter. I wouldn't want Scotland to win ever and i don't expect them to want us to win.
I agree. But in my years of personal involvement with Scots and Scotland, it's only banter when it's by the Scots. They tend to get upset and angry and take it personally when it's "banter" by us towards them. Funny that.
I cant bloody wait for this. No nerves at all from me. The first final we have been to in my lifetime so I can only be excited by it. Bloody buzzing. We are going to do it too. 2-1 Sterling and Kane.
Being that I can remember the ‘66 final, I thought I tell a little story just to show how things have progressed. I was 13 sitting in front of a small black and shite tele, the whole family was there, even my mum, who had never seen a game of football in her life and never saw a second. Uncle, aunts, Nan’s, everyone, other than my brother, myself and my father all had no idea what they were watching. Anyway kick off, England score everyone goes mad, about a minute later England score again, same result, hugging kissing (probably the only time my nan kissed me), you could hear the cheering up and down the road, it was the first ever action replay, fooled everyone.
Being that I can remember the ‘66 final, I thought I tell a little story just to show how things have progressed. I was 13 sitting in front of a small black and shite tele, the whole family was there, even my mum, who had never seen a game of football in her life and never saw a second. Uncle, aunts, Nan’s, everyone, other than my brother, myself and my father all had no idea what they were watching. Anyway kick off, England score everyone goes mad, about a minute later England score again, same result, hugging kissing (probably the only time my nan kissed me), you could hear the cheering up and down the road, it was the first ever action replay, fooled everyone.
Haha, that’s a great story! Didn’t realise it was the first time they had used replays.
Comments
Nah, screw that.
No idea how this is going to pan out, but I believe Gareth has fashioned a side with great belief and resilience, team spirit and ability.
I fear penalties and red cards, but other than that we have a shot.
It's gonna be an emotional rollercoaster.
Good luck lads
Should we win just wait for the posts on you local facebook group 'we are wherever you live' on Monday from someone called Karen who has a knackered old garden set 'free for collection' but wants to say 'thanks to all the England fans who sung at midnight and let off fireworks, my goldfish was petrified and I had to go to work in the morning'
Agree with John boy because Kane is a superb passer of a ball and is the reason Son scores so many. Sterling will have to be sharper than a goal every five chances.
If the referee is too strict the England players will also get carded when Insigne, Veratti, Immobile etc attack them.
Spain passing game was excellent, England would've had about 25% of the play judging by their ball retention. Of course we could have still have won but not if Pickford was as erratic as the semi final with his poor throws and kicks.
Feels like I'm gearing up for my wedding day or something.
Personally i just see it as banter. I wouldn't want Scotland to win ever and i don't expect them to want us to win.
It was interesting, and a good lesson for someone like France who had all the talent but also all the egos, that the teams with, probably, the best team spirits made the semi finals. The two best team units and most deserving sides have made the final. That alone is satisfying to see.
It should be a fascinating match up between two committed, confident, and well managed teams who have both restored a nation’s faith in them. It’ll likely be settled by the finest of margins, and penalties feel a very strong possibility. I really hope it’s not penalties, it’ll be utter torture to watch if it happens and the sheer size of Donnarumma will surely give him an advantage over Pickford.
Weirdly there’s probably less pressure on this game than vs. Denmark. Win or lose they’ve been a team you can really be proud of and throw the weight of your support behind. And I love the young, multicultural, progressive image of England that they are projecting out to the world - a reminder to our neighbours that, despite everything in the last 5 years or so, there’s still a lot of English folk who don’t think like Nigel Farage.
I really really want to see them go that final step and win it, but, whatever happens, I primarily hope they have now earned back people’s respect and we (or more so the media) can drop the “typical bloody England” narrative. Instead let’s enjoy the positives of this tournament and carry that momentum into next summer.
I predict an England victory on the basis that i put a bet on Italy to win it at the start of the competition.
66, I know that was then but it could be again.
It's coming home.
Hard to call, Italy have looked vulnerable against both Austria and Spain, the latter with a better striker could well have won the semi .. England defensively look terrific and the strikers have done a good job with limited chances, the Italians look more creative in midfield .. probably the two best teams have got to the final.
anyway, off the fence, it's England after extra time and possibly penalties .. the game will need a strong referee as Italy will be up to all their disruptive and niggling tricks, England of course will be models of gentlemanly behaviour..
Bjorn Kuipers the Dutchman in charge will need to be right on the case .. let's hope that there is no Euro solidarity, Brexit is forgiven and we get a good clean and well refereed game with loadsa goals and excitement ..
We need to score first against the Italians, force them to come out and then we have the players to hurt them on the counter.
A nervy first half will finish 0-0.
Kane to score around the 60 minute mark, and then we get a second in the final 5 as they push for an equaliser.
COME ON ENGLAND!
But they did the hard graft, pre internet, pre cheap air travel. A week in a van or on the train for Poland away. They ran the gauntlet of the locals and the local police, when the numbers were few and it was every man for themselves. They were vilified by the press, police and the man on the street. They shed time, money, relationships and blood (I know of a Brighton fan who still gives now who lost an eye in Izmir in the 80’s).
No, they were not all angels and there were probably some right scum bags present at times, but they were the times and they went when few would go and on the wholes it was complete, consistent crap on the pitch, with a few memorable moments here and there.
Tomorrow is for them who are very unlikely to be at Wembley, not me, not the media, not ex players, not the celebs jumping on the bandwagon. It’s for Dave from Hull who did Italia 90 in a transit!
GSTQ - bring it home for them!!
PS- bricking it!!
Eurgh.
same result as the semI AET
its coming home