The Round Ball Game - II

[gurnemanz]

Some of us are 'moaning' about the extent of the coverage, rather than the sport itself, in particular the unscheduled disruption to normal schedules on main channels. I was thoroughly absorbed by last night's Centre Court action, but would have been happy to watch it on the red button or iPlayer - surely most keen sports fans can access either or both? Is there any reason why the BBC4 channel can't be used for sport before 7 p.m.?

Makes a change to have top sport available live free-to-air, also for there to be something actually worth switching on for in the early evening schedule of the main channels. Coverage does not seem to be excessive and anyway nowadays there are plenty of alternative channels for non-sport-fans.

[Frances_iom]

I have no tv so can't comment - my comment was directed at the coverage in the news etc where half the program is given over to speculation and what I view as pseudo vox pop - my guess is that it is considerably cheaper to get a bunch of sports fans to talk than to employ real journalists to investigate much more important matters.

[Dave2002]

We have a sweepstake going at work. I drew Portugal. Bye bye £50!

Could have been worse - you might have had France!

[Jonathan]

Years ago in a sweepstake at work I drew Saudi Arabia - as I commented at the time, "That well known footballing nation"

[LMcD]

I have no tv so can't comment - my comment was directed at the coverage in the news etc where half the program is given over to speculation and what I view as pseudo vox pop - my guess is that it is considerably cheaper to get a bunch of sports fans to talk than to employ real journalists to investigate much more important matters.

I've long suspected that this might be the case! I would have thought that anybody not interested in England versus Germany at this stage probably won't be persuaded to tune in.

[teamsaint]

Years ago in a sweepstake at work I drew Saudi Arabia - as I commented at the time, "That well known footballing nation"

Nothing wrong with this goal and result !!

[LMcD]

https://www.WDfhNrza12LJyoutube.com/watch?v=FxDNewTtlXU
Nothing wrong with this goal and result !!

'This site can't be reached'.

[jayne lee wilson]

Sick of people moaning about football on a football thread.

There are a million places to whinge online. Please don't do it here, in our little oasis of enjoyment, in a rather tricky world.

Absolutely! When do we ever moan about "hours of Wimbledon on two "main channels" every day for a fortnight" ? Never, thats when. Because we find great joy and fulfilment in our beloved, beautiful game, and love coming here to share such joy, and despair, and all the ups and downs of the human spirit in the players and the fans, sharing it here with our friends. So we would never complain of someone else's passion.

Yeats: "Tread softly for you tread on my dreams"..

We all cherish our dreams, and no-one should wish us ill or misfortune in the results of our teams when all they need to do is switch off, switch over or find something else to enjoy.

As for "importance".....are some sports more "important" or "acceptable" than others? Why?
I can only quote Jurgen Klopp once again. Asked at the height of the Spring Pandemic when no games were taking place for weeks, he said that no-one wants to hear a football manager's thoughts on the science or the correct approach to controlling the spread. Then, most memorably:

"For some of us, football is the most important of the least important things".

And that's why some of us adore this thread, and the sense of belonging, shared knowledge and shared emotion we find here. So please respect that sensitivity, those deep feelings. I'm still on a high from yesterday's astounding events!

****

OK! Now its back to considering the team selection today.... what about a midfield four of Foden, Hendo, Saka and Grealish? But with one further forward behind Kane and Stering? 4-3-1-2? Or if that's too attacking to start, Rice or Philips in for Saka and/or Hendo?

[Mario]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Okbk5am4A

Mario

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Years ago in a sweepstake at work I drew Saudi Arabia - as I commented at the time, "That well known footballing nation"

That's what I call being dealt a losing hand.

[jayne lee wilson]

Utterly wonderful piece by Sid Lowe on Croatia v Spain; football writing at its best, almost as exciting as seeing it unfold live...

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/28/croatia-spain-euro-2020-last-16-match-report

[LMcD]

That's what I call being dealt a losing hand.

[eighthobstruction]

....it's 1637 hours, and I'm saying what a strange, unbalanced....seemingly toothless....team selection.....

[jayne lee wilson]

Yes, a defensive starting line-up....hmm..etc., but Saka is up front, and I guess this is a 15-player game......
Werner starting for Germany.... I note Thomas Müller winking at the camera during the anthem.......

What a moment this is....and what a Wembley atmosphere, what a sound.....!
I can hardly bear it already....

[LHC]

Yes, a defensive starting line-up....hmm..etc., but Saka is up front, and I guess this is a 15-player game......
Werner starting for Germany.... I note Thomas Müller winking at the camera during the anthem.......

What a moment this is....and what a Wembley atmosphere, what a sound.....!
I can hardly bear it already....

Your friend Jurgen appears to be enjoying himself

https://twitter.com/linziramma/status/1409882588609658884