The Round Ball Game - II

[LMcD]

Just don't watch "footie"; you'll be much the happier for it!

Watching 'footie' is - for at least some of the time for many fans- a useful aid to learning how to cope with life's inevitable disappointments. 'Rarely, rarely bringeth it the spirit of delight' - something of which, as a Wolves supporter, Elgar was probably all to aware - hence the noble resignation and mood of acceptance in the last movement of his 2nd Symphony.

[jayne lee wilson]

Amazing stuff in Amsterdam - and the first "Goal of the Tournament" entry... Yarmolenko, wow!

5 added minutes..... no complaints here!

[johncorrigan]

Been down in Edinburgh today so just catching up - congrats to Hartlepool, anton; and commiserations to Stockport, Edge. Best of luck for next week's final. Saw the second half of the Holland game - terrible commentating on ITV that did no justice to such a fine half game - couple of crackin' goals for Ukraine - too bad for them that their goalie was a bit pants.

[LMcD]

How many people are aware, I wonder, of the true significance of Ipswich Town's contributions to the nation's sporting and musical heritage?

They were the first club since Preston North End to become champions of the top tier of English football at the first attempt - an achievement which was inexplicably hardly mentioned during all the celebrations when Leicester City became Premier League champions a few years ago.

They remain the only club (so far) to have provided the manager of an England team that has actually won an international competition, and another who came very close to repeating that achievement.

Off the pitch, they recorded what, in the opinion of eminent musicologist Dieter Engpass of Eichhorn University among others, was - and remains - one of the greatest songs ever performed by a bunch of footballers. The mere thought of the irresistible rhythmic drive and exquisite vocal harmonizations of 'Ipswich, Ipswich Get That Goal' brings a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes of at least one fan. Sadly, Dr Ian Throstle's brilliant analysis of the lyrics has long been out of print, and the only copy held by the County Records Office in Ipswich mysteriously disappeared when it was - mistakenly in my opinion - loaned to Norwich's Castle Museum for its 1985 Great East Anglian Achievements exhibition. Thankfully, the song can still be heard in all its glory on YouTube.

[johncorrigan]

Ochone, ochone! Dreading the game at Wemberley after today's display.

[jayne lee wilson]

Ochone, ochone! Dreading the game at Wemberley after today's display.

Tough to take JC, but if you lose it may as well be to a goal like that! Add Schick's second to our ultralongshot collection...
Twas a thing of Beauty.....

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

(Tonight.... hardly a thrilla in Sevilla, is it? Heavy going.....glad I took myself off to the woods for the first half.
Still, the gruppo della morte gets going tomorrow....)....

[Edgy 2]

Did Sweden play with a flat pack four ?

[teamsaint]

Did Sweden play with a flat pack four ?

Sorry, no ikea.

[teamsaint]

Did Spain throw the kitchen sink at them ?

[johncorrigan]

Did Sweden play with a flat pack four ?

Flat pack eight as far as I could see, Rob - especially in the first half - Spain had some great chances - goalie had one really brilliant save - but generally lacked an Iniesto or Xavi to open the door. By the way, there was a guy from the Stockport board (at time of recording) on 'Pointless' this afternoon. (Think it was a repeat!)

[teamsaint]

Tough to take JC, but if you lose it may as well be to a goal like that! Add Schick's second to our ultralongshot collection...
Twas a thing of Beauty.....

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

(Tonight.... hardly a thrilla in Sevilla, is it? Heavy going.....glad I took myself off to the woods for the first half.
Still, the gruppo della morte gets going tomorrow....)....

My wallchart is still not printed off, but my fag packet / envelope calculations suggest that finishing second in the group might not be the worst idea ?

[LMcD]

Did Sweden play with a flat pack four ?

Dunno, but I gather it was a draw(er).

[eighthobstruction]

...Chile 1 : Argentina 1 also good....both sets of players obviously expected to have lumps kicked out of them - and duly did....all very friendly blood letting....

....well done Sweden....must have been hot hot in Seville....

[eighthobstruction]

....ITV Graphics Dept + Producers....[studio rendering]....seem to be oblivious of the viewers need to read graphics clearly and with ease....,surely a simple matter....blather blather blather, then 10 seconds to see teams....shoddy lot ITV....

[teamsaint]

Massive crowd for the game in Budapest.