Morning all.
If you love your sport then the weekend just gone was a real feast. Tennis at Queens, football galore and then mid afternoon yesterday saw the Grand Prix in France won by Lewis Hamilton. Whilst yesterdays schedule was playing out, England beat Australia in the Cricket for a fifth time on the run in the final ODI. Joss Buttler was once again England’s saviour.
The biggest football match for us English fans turned out to be a breeze. 6-1. A great result of course and one which sees them level with Belgium on all fronts. On Thursday the two sides meet each other, the winner topping the group. If it’s a draw, then fair play will decide who goes through as group winners. If I’ve worked this out correctly, both qualifying nations from our group will face the qualifying nations of Group H which will be one of Japan, Senegal or Columbia. Should England progress beyond there, the potential opposition looks very different. The likes of Spain, Germany, Uruguay, Mexico, France, Portugal etc etc enter the fold.
There was a time that many of the nations England could potentially face would be feared, but this summer, not many sides look unbeatable. Argentina have been awful, as have Germany and after their opening fixture with Portugal, which I think has been the best game so far, Spain haven’t overly impressed. France are nothing special either, or certainly not so far so this World Cup could end up spring a bit of a surprise. Personally, I’ve enjoyed watching Mexico and do I dare say it, Belgium. Actually, I’ve enjoyed quite a few games which makes a pleasant change, ok, the football might not always be the best but stick two nations against each other who aren’t expected to go very far, and it’s been good. Sometimes comical as errors have been on show. Anyway, we’re into the final week of group matches now and there’s still so much to play for for many countries, top ones too as their place in the knockout stage is far from secured.
It’s hard to believe that once this week is over, players will start returning to pre-season training. We’ve got a good few fixtures to get through before the new season kicks off, tough ones too. After the customary Boreham Wood match we play Atlético Madrid, PSG, Chelsea and Sevilla all within a short space of time. The first two of those matches take place in Singapore so a bit of travelling involved too. Not ideal, but that’s the game these days and it’s nice for our overseas fans I guess. Oh, and the money it brings in…
Anyway, it’s just a good job we all love the game because there’s plenty of it to come. I think there’s a few more in and outs at Arsenal too before the close of the transfer window. If we are to believe the headlines, it could be three in real soon. Lucas Torreira, Ever Banega and Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Lucas Perez is to handed an Arsenal lifeline too according to the rumours going around and I won’t be at all disappointed if this one’s true. He might just thrive working with his fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.
Summers here guys, get out there and enjoy it…
Good morning Rico, yes some great sport over the weekend and fantastic weather. Make the most of it while you can, we’re passed the longest day and the evening’s are drawing in. Soon the apples will be ripe for picking as the leaves turn brown and Christmas will be here before we know it. ?
Uruguay 2 – 0 Russia. Vladimir Putin has ordered a naval taskforce to sail to Montevideo and take over the country if Uruguay win the game.
Afternoon Cicero, sorry to have left you on your own… 😉
It’s been to good a day to be sat in front of a computer Rico. So no problem. ?
Touched down in Catalonia as the English summer gets into full swing,, sunny here with storms predicted no doubt it will rain as soon as we get back home.
The proletariat will have to forgo their Fray Bentos pies,then Cicero.
Morning Rico and all. The level of cheating in this World Cup has reached new heights. And I don’t just mean from the players.
Very nice too Potter, enjoy.
Afternoon Adam, all – errrr, anyone. 🙂
Expect more when Argentina play Adam, after all, they are bound to go through somehow…
G’day anyone, FIFA have fined Xhaka, Shaqiri and Lichtsteiner for making the “Eagle” hand gesture. Since the eagle symbol appears on the national flags of both Albania and Serbia, and both countries are affiliated to FIFA, it is not an offence to display either flag, the colours or any symbol appearing on them at a football match.
The fines were Xhaka and Shaqiri £7,637 each and Lichtsteiner £3,818. Lichtsteiner made the gesture in solidarity with his Swiss teammates.
The president of the Serbian FA and the team manager where each find £3,818 for post match comments about the referee. The manger said the ref should be put on trial in The Hague, while the president said the ref was biased in favour of the Swiss.
The Serbian FA where also fined £41,246 for the display by it’s supporters of discriminatory banners and messages, as well as the, throwing of objects.
I suppose FIFA have had to find new income streams in order to replace the bribes and back handers that helped to finance the previous disgraceful regime under Sepp Blatter and his cronies.
Missed you again Cicero… ?
Never mind Rico, I know you’ll be around when there’s some interesting Arsenal news to talk about. Gotta go and water the planters now. A man’s work is never done! Although in my case, there’s not a lot of work anyway. ?
Hola,
Hail Lucas! He should finally get the chance he never got from the decrepit gaffer. Very welcoming news.
Morning on another slow one.
Welcome Enock.
New post up now.