Yay! International week! (feat. u17 world cup) [5/10 - 10/10]

[-james-]

Thursday 5/10

Asia

13:30 - Syria - Australia

Europe

17:00 - Azerbaijan - Czech Republic
17:00 - Armenia - Poland
19:45 - Northern Ireland - Germany
19:45 - San Marino - Norway
19:45 - Montenegro - Denmark
19:45 - Romania - Kazakhstan
19:45 - England - Slovenia
19:45 - Malta - Lithuania
19:45 - Scotland - Slovakia

South America

21:00 - Bolivia - Brazil
22:00 - Venezuela - Uruguay
00:30 (fri) - Colombia - Paraguay
00:30 (fri) - Chile - Ecuador
00:30 (fri) - Argentina - Peru

Friday 6/10

Europe

17:00 - Georgia - Wales
19:45 - Austria - Serbia
19:45 - Republic of Ir… - Moldova
19:45 - Italy - FYR Macedonia
19:45 - Liechtenstein - Israel
19:45 - Spain - Albania
19:45 - Croatia - Finland
19:45 - Turkey - Iceland
19:45 - Kosovo - Ukraine

Africa

20:00 - Mali - Côte d'Ivoire

Saturday 7/10

Africa

14:00 - South Africa - Burkina Faso
14:00 - Uganda - Ghana
17:00 - Nigeria - Zambia
17:00 - Cameroon - Algeria
18:00 - Guinea - Tunisia
18:00 - Libya - Congo DR
18:30 - Cape Verde Islands - Senegal
20:00 - Morocco - Gabon

Europe

17:00 - Sweden - Luxembourg
17:00 - Faroe Islands - Latvia
17:00 - Bosnia-Herzegovina - Belgium
17:00 - Gibraltar - Estonia
19:45 - Belarus - Netherlands
19:45 - Bulgaria - France
19:45 - Andorra - Portugal
19:45 - Switzerland - Hungary
19:45 - Cyprus - Greece

North America

00:35 (sun) - United States - Panama
02:30 (sun) - Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago
03:00 (sun) - Costa Rica - Honduras

Sunday 8/10

Africa

18:00 - Egypt - Congo

Europe

17:00 - Denmark - Romania
17:00 - Kazakhstan - Armenia
17:00 - Poland - Montenegro
17:00 - Lithuania - England
17:00 - Slovakia - Malta
17:00 - Slovenia - Scotland
19:45 - Czech Republic - San Marino
19:45 - Germany - Azerbaijan
19:45 - Norway - Northern Ireland

Monday 9/10

Europe

19:45 - Moldova - Austria
19:45 - Serbia - Georgia
19:45 - Wales - Republic of Ireland
19:45 - Albania - Italy
19:45 - FYR Macedonia - Liechtenstein
19:45 - Israel - Spain
19:45 - Finland - Turkey
19:45 - Ukraine - Croatia
19:45 - Iceland - Kosovo

Tuesday 10/10

19:45 - France - Belarus
19:45 - Luxembourg - Bulgaria
19:45 - Netherlands - Sweden
19:45 - Hungary - Faroe Islands
19:45 - Latvia - Andorra
19:45 - Portugal - Switzerland
19:45 - Belgium - Cyprus
19:45 - Estonia - Bosnia-Herzegovina
19:45 - Greece - Gibraltar

South America

00:30 (wed) - Paraguay - Venezuela
00:30 (wed) - Brazil - Chile
00:30 (wed) - Ecuador - Argentina
00:30 (wed) - Peru - Colombia
00:30 (wed) - Uruguay - Bolivia

North America

01:00 (wed) - Trinidad and Tobago - United States
01:00 (wed) - Honduras - Mexico
01:00 (wed) - Panama - Costa Rica

[-james-]

U17 world cup groups are here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_FIFA_U-17_World_Cup

They feature the delights of India (hosts), New Caledonia, and Niger. The last one, in 2015, was really enjoyable, though I gather this is being held at the tail end of monsoon season which seems a tad questionable.

[John Arne]

Tuesday 10/10

2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier

19:00 - Vietnam - Cambodia

[Jimmy Floyd]

The African group featuring Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cape Verde and South Africa is an absolute mess.

[ItalAussie]

We get to play-off for the right to lose to Honduras. Good times.

[ItalAussie]

The African group featuring Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cape Verde and South Africa is an absolute mess.
I'd love to see Cape Verde at the World Cup.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't really know how they do it, their squad is a mish-mash of utter shite from the Portuguese second division with journeyman 32 year olds, all with silly names like Gary Rodrigues and 'Nhuck'.

Probably something to be said for keeping the same band of inadequates together at international level so it has a club feel. Northern Ireland have done the same.

[Spoonsky]

I swear we had one of these two weeks ago.

[Jimmy Floyd]

3-4 weeks ago, I would have thought.

I don't get the moaning about these, there are about 4 in a 9 month season and at this point in the qualification cycle there are more games of interest than you'd get on an average club weekend.

I guess we could be like baseball and play every day with 80 man squads.

[-james-]

I like them too. This one should be particularly good because there is potential for plenty of lolling at Chile, Holland, Scotland, Australia etc

[Byron]

We certainly don't need an international weekend to lol at Scotland.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4606595/premier-league-richard-scudamores-tv-rights/

The 'Big Six' should piss off. They're using the bullshit BCCI argument that because they produce more revenue they should therefore be paid more money. That's not how economics works.

[Kikó]

I love how the hunt for greed makes them forget competition is why companies are willing to pay so much for the game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apparently Everton, Leicester and West Ham are voting with the six. Are they mental or do they just want to be in the good books to get crap loan players?

[Lewis]

Isn't that basically how the domestic revenues are already split? People ought to be more concerned about Tottenham thinking they are part of some 'Big Six'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Poor old Everton were in the 'Big Five' when we last did this in 1990. What went wrong?

[Lewis]

The MASSIVE Two (City and United): 50% of the revenue
The Big Three (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool): 30% of the revenue
The Zionist Entity (Tottenham): None of the revenue
The 'Big Clubs' (Everton, Newcastle, West Ham): 15% of the revenue
The Shit (Everyone else): 5% of the revenue
Sunderland (Sunderland): Whatever the Shit teams receive, paid for by the Zionist Entity

[phonics]

They've (and I'm not joking here, this is the official language) "Unanimously agreed to disagree" and will shelve the thing for their next meeting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

lol, as soon as Sir Henry Winter did a twitter THREAD about it this morning it was always doomed to fail.

[Lewis]

Jupp Heynckes is back at Bayern until the end of the season. If he wins the Champions' League... :drool:

[Raoul Duke]

Jupp totally donning Pep :drool:

What happened to that Dortmund guy? I guess they're gonna get that young guy in next year then.

[Baz]

Jupp Heynckes is back at Bayern until the end of the season. If he wins the Champions' League... :drool:
:cool: Man’s a machine.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Look Who's Back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Aussie Aussie Aussie are playing Syria. Their first XI looks absolutely putrid, and Tim Cahill is still on the bench. Nevertheless, Robbie Kruse has just given them the lead.

[phonics]

To cheer us up in this time of need (International Football... gross) here's some good ol' Peter Reid in his new book


‘I had been asked to take charge of an England legends team which played Germany at Reading’s Madejski Stadium in May 2006,’ Reid writes.‘One of my players was a certain Boris Johnson. As most people have now realised, Johnson is – as Nick Clegg once referred to him – a mop-haired buffoon but the people of Liverpool had already come to that conclusion, having been on the receiving end of his brand of politics.

‘Regardless of the reason why the game was taking place, I knew I wasn’t going to be in a charitable mood towards him.

‘As soon as he walked into the dressing room I went for him.

‘”Hello Peter, Boris Johnson, pleased to meet you,” he said. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, though.

‘“I’ve been meaning to have a word with you, you t**t; having a go at Scousers, who the f**k do you think you are?”

‘You could hear a pin drop and the likes of John Barnes, Richard Ashcroft, Nigel Benn and Sean Bean were all open-mouthed. I could tell he couldn’t work out whether I was pulling his leg because he was half-smirking and half-shocked but I wasn’t messing.

‘“You are a f**king disgrace,” I said, and the tirade continued. He s**t himself.”

[Jimmy Floyd]

Love that. A swearing-induced victory for the Proper Football Man, complete with quadruple name drop from the worlds of football, boxing, music and film respectively.

[Lewis]

It was actually Simon Heffer who wrote it (plus it was true), so lol at ol' monkey head.

[-james-]

Iranian referee doing Syria a solid there with that penalty decision.

[phonics]

It was actually Simon Heffer who wrote it (plus it was true), so lol at ol' monkey head.

That bit's in there, I just pasted the funny bits.

[John]

Commentator on the Poland game has just responded to Lewandowski scoring a hat trick by constructing an argument for Harry Kane being better than him.

[Giggles]

Another couple of years of that northy shitebag :face:

915988848131416064

[-james-]

Joe Hart lol

[-james-]

Good take, this

915996972019941377

[SvN]

I've just seen that Sturridge is on the bench.... how? Are we really that lacking in talent?

[Lewis]

Obviously.

[SvN]

I was trying to think of someone I'd call up instead, but couldn't.

[SvN]

I've cracked it.


During a run of good form in September 2017, Crouch said in a television interview that he was not officially retired from international football.

[John]

There's just been a boy of about six on the build up program to the Scotland game talking about how Slovakia play a high press and Scotland should hit them on the counter.

[CJay]

Another couple of years of that northy shitebag :face:

915988848131416064

I’m shocked they’ve done this before we wrap the qualifiers up.

[Magic]

There's just been a boy of about six on the build up program to the Scotland game talking about how Slovakia play a high press and Scotland should hit them on the counter.

Reg?

[ScousePig]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/862116/Sunderland-news-club-move-London-Richard-Keys

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. There have been rumours that Sunderland might have been looking to move part of their setup to London, and now Richard Keys has suggested it as a genuine possibility.

Sunderland fans with mixed feelings from what I've read.

[Magic]

Darren Anderton: Kanes almost as good as Messi.

What. :D

[Giggles]

Levy must be creaming himself with all this. He'll end up paying for a quarter of the stadium with him.

[Kikó]

Red card to the mak.

[-james-]

Can't wait to see how Scotland cock this up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Have I really just watched Kyle Walker have a pop at goal from a well placed free kick 23 yards out?

[John]

Wembley should probably stop hosting helmetball games.

[Max Power]

Scotland so negative at home to ten man Slovakia. Basically Griffiths against five defenders at all times.

[-james-]

Scotland just aren't much good. James Forrest makes my eyes bleed.

[niko_cee]

England are so, so wank.

Meanwhile, the jocks are playing in pink at home, so there's that.

[Magic]

Strachan is clueless. T

[Jimmy Floyd]

I bet they're not as shit as England. It's a genuine disgrace that we've got a group as shit as this. We need to drop down the rankings and start drawing stinkers.

[-james-]

https://i.imgur.com/1X4zMUq.png

[Spikey M]

This has to be the worst England squad of my life time. Jordan Henderson and John Stones would be in the Championship if they were foreign. Joe Hart is broken, he can’t be repaired and Sterling remains the new Aaron Lennon. Load of shit.

[Ian]

I wonder when the last time was I genuinely enjoyed an England game.

[Magic]

Hoddle: you don't want to play in the hole, you want to ARRIVE in the hole.

:D

[Spikey M]

I wonder when the last time was I genuinely enjoyed an England game.

Beating Wales at the World Cup. Before that, I have no idea. They care less than I do.

[Ian]

I enjoyed the Wales result, I don't know that I actually enjoyed the game.


Hoddle: you don't want to play in the hole, you want to ARRIVE in the hole.

:D

Yep, I enjoyed that a lot too.

[SvN]

I remember being devastated after we went out to Portugal in 2006. It's hard to believe that I actually cared so much. I couldn't give a shit thesedays.

[Lewis]

'Post-Rooney England' mate.

[Max Power]

Ten man Slovaks looking the more likely at Hampden. Scotland aren’t just bad, they aren’t even having a go it seems. Odd.

[CJay]

Sterling has been atrocious in possession tonight. He manages to get caught every time he receives the ball.

That is a cracking effort from Cesar to block that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've seen concrete breeze blocks more creative than Matt Phillips.

[phonics]

Can I start a mass 'if that Sterling goal against Italy was real' movement where that team would have won it. That was sucha likeable team.

[John]

Those were comfortably the slowest step overs ever performed from Phillips.

Bannan looks like Leigh Griffiths but drawn by someone slightly more competent.

[phonics]

I've seen concrete breeze blocks more creative than Matt Phillips.

One of those players who takes seeing him in real life to assess. Huge technique. Not good enough for England but a good sign of the quality the league can create if they actually play.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's quite amazing how bad this lot are.

[Spikey M]

916020916798345216

I don’t know how to make twitter links show up, but seriously. Fucking bin this prick.

[Magic]

Those were comfortably the slowest step overs ever performed from Phillips.

Bannan looks like Leigh Griffiths but drawn by someone slightly more competent.

They both look like Matt Groening characters.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I remember being devastated after we went out to Portugal in 2006. It's hard to believe that I actually cared so much. I couldn't give a shit thesedays.

And now I see Hendo ready for war, Theo good as before, Harry certain to score. And Phil Jones gurning...

Don't think so. Scotland getting majorly superkeepered now.

[Ian]

Sterling has been atrocious in possession tonight. He manages to get caught every time he receives the ball.

That is a cracking effort from Cesar to block that.

I gather he's in good nick for City but I don't think I remember him doing a single good thing for England ever. Maybe that Italy shot if you want to count that as good for pained nostalgia value, He might actually have been alright in that game on the whole. By England standards, at least.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sterling is amazing to watch in an England shirt.

[Magic]

Him running the ball out was perfect timing for this discussion.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ikechi Anya? I'm better than Ikechi Anya.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hope they'll bring out a DVD of this game.

[niko_cee]

I was just pondering whether it's been a downward trajectory with England for my entire watching life.

I don't really remember Euro 88, so Italia 90 is the starting point. I know we didn't qualify for the next one, but with that possible caveat it probably has been. When was the last time England genuinely played well in a meaningful game? 2001?

[phonics]

Joe Hart going into the history books over Banks and Seaman is a disgrace.

[John]

Anya is about as good an impact sub as Scotland have because he's quick.

The Slovakian goalkeeper needs to be getting tested for every drug going after the game.

[Kikó]

England are hilarious. I'm not sure it's possible to stop then being shite at this point.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Thank me later, Ikechi.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wahey!

[niko_cee]

And whilst I can appreciate the Henderson hate, what the fuck does Eric Dier do in the world of professional football? His sole purpose seems to be popping up at the near post from set pieces (which, granted, may be important seeing as no one can kick a ball past that point) and having the occasional biff from a freekick (baton now passed to Kyle what the fuck Walker). He's just awful, even more so when you have to make the game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What has to happen now? Do they have to win in Slovenia? Do we need to let one in at Wembley for a trollfest?

[John]

Up pops Anya to set up the winner.

Sneaky little kick on Weiss there from Griffiths. At some point people are going to realise the entire Celtic side are properly snide cunts.

[phonics]

England are hilarious. I'm not sure it's possible to stop then being shite at this point.

For large swathes this has been one of the worst games I've ever seen.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And whilst I can appreciate the Henderson hate, what the fuck does Eric Dier do in the world of professional football? His sole purpose seems to be popping up at the near post from set pieces (which, granted, may be important seeing as no one can kick a ball past that point) and having the occasional biff from a freekick (baton now passed to Kyle what the fuck Walker). He's just awful, even more so when you have to make the game.

He's got knowledge of the forrin game.

[Magic]

How many more games?

[phonics]

How many more games?

Next week then playoffs.

[phonics]

Fucking lol.

[Spikey M]

What a man

[Ian]

Anya is about as good an impact sub as Scotland have because he's quick.

The Slovakian goalkeeper needs to be getting tested for every drug going after the game.

Is it Tim-Flowers-off-his-tits-on-adrenaline levels after that clean sheet against whoever it was?

[Spammer]

They're not even stepping out of third gear. All I can think is that they don't give a shit.

Where's the fucking tempo? They're meant to be top rate footballers. What's the point in pissing about taking ten seconds and waiting for all the other players to get marked? Its fucking stupid and I can't see any reason for it other than not giving a shit, not wanting to risk getting injured and it hampering their club season.

I'd rather have an England team of championship or league one players who are giving it absolutely everything than this half arsed shower of shite. At least that'd be something to be proud of.

[-james-]

What has to happen now? Do they have to win in Slovenia? Do we need to let one in at Wembley for a trollfest?

Whoever wins in Slovenia gets second place. If it's a draw then Slovakia qualify (presuming they can make their way past Malta).

[Kikó]

Late goal specialists. Sign of champions.

England V Scotland final.

[John]

Is it Tim-Flowers-off-his-tits-on-adrenaline levels after that clean sheet against whoever it was?

He's made about six world class saves, maybe three of them from within the six yard box.

[Yevrah]

Kane is literally the only reason to watch England at the moment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ah, I see it's still quite tricky to get through. This the heroic part of the heroic failure.

[-james-]

Oh, England scored. It's basically a dead rubber for Slovenia then.

[niko_cee]

Best get the wee suitcases out then.

[CJay]

Do Scotland have any chance of beating Slovenia away? I suppose Slovenia basically have nothing to play for, which may change things, but even then it seems unlikely.

[Magic]

Ah, I see it's still quite tricky to get through. This the heroic part of the heroic failure.

I'll say a drubbing by BiH in the playoffs is the failure.

[-james-]

Need Scotland to get second place and then draw Portugal or someone for the biggest bet ever.

[Adamski]

Up pops Anya to set up the winner.

Sneaky little kick on Weiss there from Griffiths. At some point people are going to realise the entire Celtic side are properly snide cunts.

The mass booing when Weiss came on would indicate it’s not just a Celtic thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scotland v Northern Ireland playoff, what could possibly go wrong.

[Ian]

Do Scotland have any chance of beating Slovenia away? I suppose Slovenia basically have nothing to play for, which may change things, but even then it seems unlikely.

I believe Georgia were competing in a dead rubber ten years ago and fielded a load of toddlers that still beat Scotland 2-0.

I'd assume nothing.

That England performance was a load of utter rot and we're getting fucked out of the group stages if we draw more than one competent team. And maybe even if we don;t.

[Alex]

Fair play to Ian Wright post-match there, for correctly calling us out on the absolute shower of shite that we are.

[Spammer]

Can I start a mass 'if that Sterling goal against Italy was real' movement where that team would have won it. That was sucha likeable team.

TTH meetup that was. We went crazy for 5 seconds.

[Danny]

I was just pondering whether it's been a downward trajectory with England for my entire watching life.

I don't really remember Euro 88, so Italia 90 is the starting point. I know we didn't qualify for the next one, but with that possible caveat it probably has been. When was the last time England genuinely played well in a meaningful game? 2001?

Euro 92? I would do my best forget about it too.

1 goal in 3 games :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wasn't around for Italia 90, but I've always had a suspicion we were absolute wank and fluked our way into the semis via an unbelievably kind draw. Christ knows what Germany were up to nearly fucking the semi.

[Shindig]

Argentina in 2002 feels like the last one I came away from thinking they did a good job. Maybe Denmark in the second round.

Italia 90 sounds like a wobble. Squeaking past the Belgians and the Cameroonians. I think it's a very English mentality. Even in '66 we nearly shat it.

[-james-]

Venezuela's first choice goalie is a 5'11 19 year old called Wuilker Fariñez. I reckon he'd be an upgrade if he signed for Liverpool or West Ham.

[Magic]

I wasn't around for Italia 90, but I've always had a suspicion we were absolute wank and fluked our way into the semis via an unbelievably kind draw. Christ knows what Germany were up to nearly fucking the semi.

Around as in born or aware?

[niko_cee]

We were dreadful against Belgium, and not much better against Cameroon (and perhaps the less said about the group stage the better) but it's all relative. Euro '96 is remembered as some wave of alcohol fueled jock ruining abandon, but it was really far from it. We were poor against Roy fucking Hodgson's Switzerland and robbed Spain in what must be one of the biggest sporting injustices of all time, but we battered the Dutch and Gazza scored that goal, so all was forgiven, and forgotten. '98 was pretty poor, but there was hope (Owen) and injustice (Beckham), 2000 dreadful after the best opening 10 minutes of a tournment ever. 2002 was meh, although I suppose, along with the next Euros is the closest we've come to thinking "hmmm, maybe". But here I am, rambling on. You're probably right, there haven't been any halcyon days since it all went wrong in 1970.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was two years old.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everything post 2006 has been absolutely free of any kind of hope or positivity. I'm not sure what it is. Probably the last links to pre-92 football being broken and this being an entirely gravy train-formed generation.

[Raoul Duke]

Venezuela's first choice goalie is a 5'11 19 year old called Wuilker Fariñez. I reckon he'd be an upgrade if he signed for Liverpool or West Ham.

According to FIFA 18 he's a wonderkid who plays for Barcelona

[Lewis]

I maintain that we could/would have won 2008 with a proper manager.

[-james-]

According to FIFA 18 he's a wonderkid who plays for Barcelona

He's looked really good whenever I've seen him. Be interesting to see whether being a short arse prevents him doing well.

[John]

Didn't stop Andy Goram being two of our best ever goalkeepers.

[-james-]

Peru :cool:

[-james-]

Argentina are proper rank. Held at home to Peru and didn't really deserve to win at all. 16 goals in 17 games is all sorts of lol.

Wednesday looks fun:

https://i.imgur.com/NXRiLdu.png

[Ian]

Pesky South American defences forgetting to roll over and have their belly tickled by The Little Magician. Not cool, guys.

[Giggles]

Hogan and Maguire made the finalised cutdown for tonight, though I'd be very surprised if either seen any action.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That group table is tight as fuck.

You have to assume Paraguay will make their way to 27, as will one of Peru/Colombia, which means Chile must get something in Brazil, and Argentina have to win or they're not going. How the fuck is their goalscoring record so bad with that personnel?

I can't imagine Ecuador won't allow the Argies to win, mind.

[Shindig]

I dunno. Ecuador have a spot to play for. Peru making it would be awesome. There's so few teams in that continent I haven't seen before on a world stage.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brazil will surely let Chile win.

[Jimmy Floyd]

5th place is no guarantee either, I can't see the Argie backline dealing with Chris Wood's hold-up play.

[Kikó]

Jupp Heynckes is back at Bayern.

[John]

Woodburn on the bench seems like madness. He's the one player who could provide a bit of magic in place of Bale.

[Yevrah]

If there's a nation that's been mis-managed to a level worse than England in recent times it's Argentina.

[Giggles]

Few surprises, might as well at this stage but it's very un-O'Neill.

916353221245001728

[Giggles]

Scott Hogan wasn't biding his time before declaring. Yeah of course.

[Lewis]

If there's a nation that's been mis-managed to a level worse than England in recent times it's Argentina.

2010 was the only real disgrace. The rest of it was just certain BOTTLERS BOTTLING IT.

[Giggles]

Shane Long has 1 goal in 42 appearances? I think calling him average was being kind.

[Yevrah]

Is Semedo likely to be a regular for Barca?

[Kikó]

Another former Benfica player :(

[Giggles]

My FM legend :drool:

Won a Ballon from right back.

[-james-]

Iceland are going to win their group. Pretty incredible.

[Amigo]

Finland, I fucking love you.

[Shindig]

Scandimania.

[ItalAussie]

That Finland result is amazing. As is Iceland getting three points away to Turkey.

I assume that Kosovo is unlikely to cause them any problems? I haven't seen them play before, but they seem rubbish from their results. Should be straightforward for Iceland to emerge out of a really tough group.

I feel like Italy should win their play-off, but I really hope they don't draw Croatia. Or Portugal, if they're in the pot (and I hope they are).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Croatia have properly shat the bed. Fair play to Iceland though, pretty sure they would be the smallest ever qualifiers by population.

[ItalAussie]

Croatia have properly shat the bed. Fair play to Iceland though, pretty sure they would be the smallest ever qualifiers by population.

I know they are. I put up a Trivia question on minimum populations to qualify for the World Cup a while back, and I can still remember it. They beat out T&T pretty easily, who are the current smallest.

It's baffling that they're such a small country, to be honest. They have a comparatively huge cultural footprint.

[niko_cee]

They do?

Cold countries are always surprisingly underpopulated, and, by and large the opposite applies to hot ones. Australia being the outlier in that regard.

[Shindig]

Only because we put the buggers there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I know they are. I put up a Trivia question on minimum populations to qualify for the World Cup a while back, and I can still remember it. They beat out T&T pretty easily, who are the current smallest.

It's baffling that they're such a small country, to be honest. They have a comparatively huge cultural footprint.

Sri Lankan cricket all comes from two schools. Small is sometimes better than big. See also: Chinese football.

[Pepe]

Curious to hear more about Iceland's cultural footprint.

[-james-]

Curious to hear more about Iceland's cultural footprint.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z5aPaDwAkU

http://cooleststop.com/img/2017-07/1-1499734607.jpeg

https://tvaraj.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/leif-erikson-source-pixgood-com.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also Magnus Magnusson and Okay Amigo.

[ItalAussie]

Curious to hear more about Iceland's cultural footprint.
They have 300,000 people in their entirety, and I can name at least five of them. That's significant for a country so small.

That's probably five more, say, Macedonians, Guatemalans or Bahraini than I can name.

[Lewis]

Also Hafthor 'The Mountain' Bjornsson, fresh from having an actual MELTDOWN at World's Strongest Man and standing accused of filling half his exes in.

[Adramelch]

It's quite possible that unless Scotland win in Slovenia, that group won't get a playoff spot anyway. As I see it, the three most probable groups for that are:

a) Scotland's group where as I said Scotland essentially have to win
b) Croatia's group where there essentially needs to be a winner in the Ukraine-Croatia match
c) Greece's group where it's a bit more complex due to the possible combinations of Greece and Bosnia results.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scotland have to win anyway because Slovakia are playing Malta and will overtake them, so it changes nothing for them.

Wales/Ireland are contenders surely if they draw or maybe if Ireland win.

[Giggles]

Not a hope in hell we're beating Wales but they're the only one of the four I'd like to see do well so hopefully they don't get locked out in 2nd.

[John]

Floyd's Northampton are getting a pasting at home. They've conceded five in the second half.

[Giggles]

I see your lot are on RTE2 live now CJay.

That stadium is so brilliantly shit :drool:

[Bernanke]

One of the softest penalties in recent memory, 1-0 Sweden.

[Adramelch]

Scotland have to win anyway because Slovakia are playing Malta and will overtake them, so it changes nothing for them.

Wales/Ireland are contenders surely if they draw or maybe if Ireland win.

My point in regards to Scotland's group is that if Scotland don't win, Slovakia gets 2nd but they're very likely to be out of the playoffs (only 12 points in the playoff table - although they do have a pretty strong goal difference).

As for Wales I just sort of gave them the win anyway.

[Bernanke]

2-0. Come on and destroy them now so we are clear of the Dutch.

[Adamski]

Scotland have to win anyway because Slovakia are playing Malta and will overtake them, so it changes nothing for them.

Wales/Ireland are contenders surely if they draw or maybe if Ireland win.

Slovakia are out. The Malta results get wiped from the board for all teams.

[Adramelch]

Slovakia are out. The Malta results get wiped from the board for all teams.

They're not out but they do need other results to go their way.

[Adamski]

Ah yeah it’s Slovenia that are out. They shouldn’t be allowed in the same group. Too confusing.

[-james-]

Belgium need to get their fucking act together.

[-james-]

Thanks Belgium

[CJay]

I see your lot are on RTE2 live now CJay.

That stadium is so brilliantly shit :drool:

:drool:

“They’re Just driving the ball forward aimlessly”, the commentator says in a shocked voice. :D Forgot how bad our style of football is.

The pitch looks barely playable.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ah yeah it’s Slovenia that are out. They shouldn’t be allowed in the same group. Too confusing.

After much consideration I really don't think either should be allowed at all.

[Bernanke]

7. :jayjay:

[John]

Luxembourg at home was 'a potentially tricky fixture' says the man on Sky. I wonder what an easy fixture looks like if a home game against a country barely big enough to put a side out isn't it.

It would have a whiff of someone trying to convince everyone a late season game between Stoke and Swansea was worth watching if there wasn't eighty minutes on the clock.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've watched this game throughout. Sweden could be at least 20-0 up by now. If it doesn't finish at least 10 they've had a shitter.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tunisia a goal down in Guinea. Please bottle it you miserable cunts.

[Adramelch]

That Bosnia-Belgium game though.

[John]

How have I missed the Faroe Islands getting nine points in their group?

[-james-]

The group was piss. I presume they're fifth seeds and Latvia must be one of the worst fourth seeds. I just watched them against Latvia and they were the better side. Beat Greece don't you know.

[-james-]

Douze points from Cyprus to Greece tonight. :drool:

[Adramelch]

The group was piss. I presume they're fifth seeds and Latvia must be one of the worst fourth seeds. I just watched them against Latvia and they were the better side. Beat Greece don't you know.

Twice even. What a disaster of a qualifier that one was.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A glorious 1-0 shit off in Nicosia.

[Adramelch]

I feel we're going to draw. Which would all but mean we're out as even if we outscored Bosnia in the last game (we're up against Gibraltar at home) we'd be dead last in the playoff table.

[Byron]

Just seen that the Dutch need to win by 6 goals away in Belarus to even make the playoffs.

Ta ta clog munchers :harold:

[Adramelch]

Just seen that the Dutch need to win by 6 goals away in Belarus to even make the playoffs.

Why's that?

[Byron]

Because Sweden thrashed Luxembourg 8-0.

EDIT: Just seen that France need to beat Bulgaria as well, so the gloating is a little early but still.

[Adramelch]

Because Sweden thrashed Luxembourg 8-0.

EDIT: Just seen that France need to beat Bulgaria as well, so the gloating is a little early but still.

Sweden are on a +19 GD and the Dutch are on +5. And there's also another match to be played, where France are against Belarus at home.

[Byron]

Well then I'm just a mess.

[Adramelch]

Still though, your gloating is correct. They're essentially out barring extreme circumstances.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Anyone watching the French game? How they looking?

[Adramelch]

That was pretty decent by Mitroglou for our equaliser:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y6aHD7_-_8

He's been consistently good for club and country for quite some time now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've been watching the Dutch game since just before the Belarus equaliser and by fuck are they shit.

The points they've gotten this campaign is actually quite flattering.

Here they've been relying on the 33 year old Robben to run their attack. Without him they're nothing and you know you're in trouble when Ryan pissing Babel is on the other flank.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus, Belarus have just had 3 golden chances in a row starting from a free kick.

If Belarus had anyone who was decent at finishing they could have put 4 or 5 past the Dutchies.

[Adramelch]

Well we did it (or rather Belgium did it for us). Now we need one of Wales/Scotland not to win, a draw in the Ukraine-Croatia match or Northern Ireland to lose by 2 or more at Norway.

[Ian]

Luxembourg at home was 'a potentially tricky fixture' says the man on Sky. I wonder what an easy fixture looks like if a home game against a country barely big enough to put a side out.

Was it Luxembourg or Liechtenstein who, in one of their very few military excursions, managed to come back with more soldiers than they started with?

I feel like it might have been the latter but it could be either in spirit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Was it Luxembourg or Liechtenstein who, in one of their very few military excursions, managed to come back with more soldiers than they started with?

I feel like it might have been the latter but it could be either in spirit.

Lichtenstein.

Went with 80, came back with 81.

[Spikey M]

How ‘how?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They went to defend the Austrian/Lichtenstein in 1886 with Italian. Some say that an Italian 'friend' came with them and some say an Austrian solider looking for work (they disbanded the army right after so well in, lad) came back.

[Yevrah]

Isn't it more likely they just hadn't counted them properly?

[Spikey M]

If you’re looking for a deserter, then the Italian option is all you need.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Italian mate is the one that is most quoted (they were watching over the border alongside the Italian army) but a miscount is still more plausible. Or just someone decided to march back with them for a bit before going home.

[ScousePig]

After much consideration I really don't think either should be allowed at all.

Go visit Slovenia and still say that, I dare you.

[Ian]

Isn't it more likely they just hadn't counted them properly?

Most stories have a more pleasing explanation.

When it doesn't matter sometimes it's just nicer to believe the fiction.

England have just been unlucky and we're going to win the World Cup.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Morocco will go to the Ivory Coast for the last round needing a point to qualify (Ivory Coast go through with a win). On one hand I like Ivory Coast, but on the other hand the Morocco manager is this man and the World Cup needs him:

https://thesefootballtimes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/herverenard.jpg

[Byron]

Would it be fair to say that Renard is the only Frenchman you like?

[Bernanke]

https://twitter.com/arnoldcommajon/status/916817609127088130

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Would it be fair to say that Renard is the only Frenchman you like?

Him, N'golo Kanté, and Victor Dubuisson. The three musketeers.

[Bernanke]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucwPnQildM

:holland:

[Waffdon]

Scotland going with two strikers. What is happening? Shame Barry Bannan and fkn James McArthur are playing.

[Pleb]

Scotland (v. Slovenia): Gordon, Berra, Mulgrew, Robertson, Tierney, McArthur, Darren Fletcher, Bannan, Martin, Griffiths, Phillips.

England (v. Lithuania): Butland; Keane, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Henderson, Winks, Cresswell; Alli, Rashford, Kane

:sherlock:

[Adramelch]

Come on Scotland, I believe in your failure!

[Waffdon]

No shocks Oblak hasn’t conceded a home goal in qualifying. Boy is a fucking colossus freak. He’s the best Buffon.

[Waffdon]

Someone needs to lynch James McArthur.

[Giggles]

Horrible game.

[Byron]

Which one? Because both are absolute garbage.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Griffiths is a great international striker in the mould of Pauleta or someone.

[Waffdon]

What a player he is. A wand of a left foot, as they say x

[Waffdon]

As you were, LG x

[Giggles]

Which one? Because both are absolute garbage.

I'd the Scotland one on but the NFL has started now at least.

[Weaver]

I went to Carlisle vs Exeter yesterday afternoon, and I was one of the lucky thousand or two who got to witness the monumental battle between Clint Hill and Jayden Stockley.

Exeter won 1-0, they’ve got a few decent players and were good value for the victory. Their goalkeeper, with the first name Christy (Pym), was the MOTM.

[Lewis]

I feel as though every England game I watch is the most boring game I have ever seen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scotland went so fucking deep as soon as they scored (and took it to the corner flag at the end of the first half). You'll never last doing that unless you're a Mourinho siege team.

[John Arne]

I feel as though every England game I watch is the most boring game I have ever seen.

Yup - they are completely joyless. It’s horrid.

[John Arne]

Lithuanian defender puts his arm on “Dele’s” shoulder and he goes down like a sack of shit :face:

[Waffdon]

How the fuck is James McArthur on this pitch

[Waffdon]

Hopefully this means Strachan finally leaves. Most likely not. Another loss to a team with nothing to play for :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

This second half from Scotland one of the most gutless displays you could ever wish to see. Don't buy the 'heartbreak', they're cowards.

[Adramelch]

I mean "with nothing to play" is not very relevant for mediocre teams in the international scene. They have to play for coefficients and it's not like there's any incentive to rest players or anything.

[John Arne]

England beat Chile in the U17 World Cup earlier, 4-0.

Not sure if there should be a World Cup for such a young age group.

[Giggles]

Fucking Scotland :nono:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Slovenia absolutely losing their shit North African style here. Literally any country on the Med is a hive of hotheaded wankers.

The ref is a total penis as well, I think he just flashed the yellow at a series of random people because he'd lost the plot, then realised about two minutes later that one of them had already been booked.

[Waffdon]

How has the referee only added an extra minute?

[Lewis]

lol

[Adramelch]

:cheer:

Watch us lose the playoff now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They fucked that in the ridiculous 1-1 draw at home to Lithuania this time last year.

[Lewis]

And that draw against us gave them hope. :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

:cheer:

Watch us lose the playoff now.
I hope in this single day of lolling at Scotland you will have experienced just a small taster of the glory of what it is to be an Englishman.

[Waffdon]

And that draw against us gave them hope. :harold:

0-3 against Lithuania, if anything. Losing in the 93rd minute fucked them.

[Giggles]

Does Scotland equalising still mean the huns are into the playoffs before they play Norway tonight?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Does Scotland equalising still mean the huns are into the playoffs before they play Norway tonight?

Yes.

[Giggles]

Yes.

Useless Scottish cunts.

[Adramelch]

Even if they hadn't equalised it would mean that. As long as Scotland didn't win they were through.

EDIT: Never mind, missed the "still".

[-james-]

I'm more invested in Scotland's efforts these days than I have been in England's for a while. At least it's interesting.

[Magic]

God that was shit. Chris Martin is fucking dire.

[Yevrah]

I didn't watch England tonight, but 71% possession and only 4 shots on target?

Fuck that must have been grim.

[-james-]

It's a shame because I think this England squad actually has potential. Gareth Southgate is a disaster. I didn't watch tonight but I hope he sticks with 3-4-3 though. Much better on paper.

[Ian]

Scotland gonna a Scotland.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a shame because I think this England squad actually has potential. Gareth Southgate is a disaster. I didn't watch tonight but I hope he sticks with 3-4-3 though. Much better on paper.

I would sack him right now and get someone even slightly competent in. He is clearly a decent training ground man and a ghastly tactician. Steve McClaren would have got the same record in this group, poor bloke.

[Magic]

But you guys have such a poor squad and poor mentality right?

Sorry I've been listening to talkshit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41546717

Fair play, this is the sort of absolute raving bullshit I would come out with in the same situation.

[phonics]

"Maybe we get big women and men together and see what we can do."

Can't believe they've let Magic manage the Scotland team.

[niko_cee]

"Genetically, we are behind," said Strachan. "In the last campaign we were the second smallest, apart from Spain.

Hmmm.

[Magic]

I was agreeing with him until I realised he meant height. I thought he meant technically we are shite, then he says we are as good as anybody LOL.

It's a cultural thing and financial these days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not going to profess to be an expert on how things roll in the glens, but I've heard it said that kids just don't play football anymore. If you think from the 60s to the sort of early 90s they had an incredible production line of players and coaches.

[niko_cee]

It's the same with the Dutch. If anything they've gone even further off the cliff than the jocks.

[Smiffy]

I'm leaving for Cardiff shortly. This is going to be awesome. :cool:

Cymru am byth!