The Football.....

[PaulSB]

One thing I've noticed is the lack of Engurland flags on cars and hanging out of windows. The lack of pub offers isn't much of a surprise given the time difference,

This may change if youse get deeper into the tournament, but it feels a bit flat.

This fella is cheery though:


View: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2375160356297256/?mibextid=ZZyLBr

I was chatting with my wife about this. She made two points.

Has the recent flags on lamp posts campaign deterred people from hanging out a St George's Cross for fear of it being misinterpreted? I feel this is a valid point.

Secondly at the Euros it took time for enthusiasm to build up. Now she's said it I think I remember that being the case.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Can the build-up to this World Cup get any worse?

Part of Iraq team support denied entry to USA, one member detained for over 7 hours and now one of the official refs denied entry!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cnv9drg0qzgo

 

[AndyRM]

I was chatting with my wife about this. She made two points.

Has the recent flags on lamp posts campaign deterred people from hanging out a St George's Cross for fear of it being misinterpreted? I feel this is a valid point.

Secondly at the Euros it took time for enthusiasm to build up. Now she's said it I think I remember that being the case.

Actually, yeah, the lamp post thing is probably the bigger factor.

 

[matticus]

Actually, yeah, the lamp post thing is probably the bigger factor.

... and it probably reinforces the fact that it was coordinated by a tiny travelling group, who inflicted it on many towns where nobody wanted them. In fact 99% of residents were embarassed by it ... and so here we are!

 

[Beebo]

Also the tournament might start on Thursday but England’s first game isnt until next Wednesday, so the build up is bound to be slow.

 

[Pblakeney]

Also the tournament might start on Thursday but England’s first game isnt until next Wednesday, so the build up is bound to be slow.

This.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Norway Team pic. Thoughts?

View attachment 810725

(and no, it's NOT AI !! )

It's a good job England didn't try the same, the team photo would have been of them stumbling out of a nightclub off their faces at 2am!

 

[AndyRM]

Also the tournament might start on Thursday but England’s first game isnt until next Wednesday, so the build up is bound to be slow.

True. Although my (possibly inaccurate) memory is of the wee flags appearing on cars at least a week before the tournament, not a couple of days.

These guys in Meadow Well got started as early as last year! (Tongue very much in cheek and aware of what they were actually up to).

 

[AndyRM]

It's a good job England didn't try the same, the team photo would have been of them stumbling out of a nightclub off their faces at 2am!

Nah, that's the cricketers and rugby chaps.

 

[matticus]

True. Although my (possibly inaccurate) memory is of the wee flags appearing on cars at least a week before the tournament, not a couple of days.

Yeah, that's about what I expect for most tournaments. This one is a fair bit longer ... perhaps they'll wait until we're in the last 32?

 

[T4tomo]

Yeah, that's about what I expect for most tournaments. This one is a fair bit longer ... perhaps they'll wait until we're in the last 32?

Its normally when the tabloid papers give them away for free - are newspapers still a thing?

 

[AndyRM]

Yeah, that's about what I expect for most tournaments. This one is a fair bit longer ... perhaps they'll wait until we're in the last 32?

It's only a week longer than normal (in modern World Cup terms), which I don't think is that bad.

 

[matticus]

It's only a week longer than normal (in modern World Cup terms), which I don't think is that bad.

Pah. I still remember the 8-team Euros. THAT was a proper tournament.

 

[AndyRM]

Pah. I still remember the 8-team Euros. THAT was a proper tournament.

Slightly before my time, but I agree. With 24 teams in it now, they may as well abandon qualification and just let everyone in who wants to play.