The Round Ball Game - II

[jayne lee wilson]

If you have the access or can find it elsewhere, don't miss this warm and characterful film about Greece's astonishing triumph at the 2004 Euros...

https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/7249939f-f330-422b-ae77-71d8681b1a43

First game after Otto took over? A 1-5 defeat to Finland........so it is quite a story.....

***
Hope to watch this later....

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/nvbj5h/terry-venables-a-man-can-dream/

Narrated by The Man Himself....... what a life he had! Colourful doesn't even begin.....
Available on Sky Docs, Sky Now, etc....

***
Here's the sort of humour I love - very inventive and new, but the send-up is affectionate... lovely isn't it?

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2021/jul/03/stephen-collins-on-footballer-speak-cartoon

[johncorrigan]

Here's the sort of humour I love - very inventive and new, but the send-up is affectionate... lovely isn't it?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...-speak-cartoon

It's usually the only thing worth reading in the Weekend, jayne...apart from the hard quiz and blind date that is. Stephen Collins is funny and clever just about every week.

[eighthobstruction]

....THE WHOLE DAMN THING IS PLAYERS ARE ACTUALLY DOING FOR THE MOST PART >>>>>>WHAT WE ALWAYS KNEW THEY COULD POTENTIALLY COULD DO IF THEY PLAYED UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL [sic]....going forward I hope they keep going forward [sic].....STOP MARKING EMPTY SPACE -QUICKLY GET TO WHERE THE ACTION IS - STOP YOUR NONSENSE PASSING....

[jayne lee wilson]

One to savour tonight, for connoisseurs of fine vintages......

Its back, back, BACK! What is? That cute little ball-car!
Now there's something to look forward to tomorrow...

[Dave2002]

Who decides what shirt colours teams are allowed to play? I know that the Italians like to be called the azurris, but why should they keep blue all the time? Also why is Spain playing in white - is that their preferred colour? I thought they liked red.

It's not as if Blue vs Red would be impossible to cope with.

Is there a protocol, or an etiquette about this?

[jayne lee wilson]

Who decides what shirt colours teams are allowed to play? I know that the Italians like to be called the azurris, but why should they keep blue all the time? Also why is Spain playing in white - is that their preferred colour? I thought they liked red.

It's not as if Blue vs Red would be impossible to cope with.

Is there a protocol, or an etiquette about this?

This is Spain's away strip. Home is red shirts/blue shorts, which lacks some contrast for visibility-at-speed from Italy's usual blue/white. Italy are using a changed strip with navy shorts for the same reason. Strips on neutral grounds, finals etc, are usually decided on the toss of a coin. Or both change. But earlier in EURO 2020/1 teams were declared home or away from venue to venue across Europe, and the strips followed that.

Anyway - lively start! Spain taking it on!

Great crowd too - I-talia I-talia I-talia!

[teamsaint]

This is Spain's away strip. Home is red shirts/blue shorts, which lacks some contrast for visibility-at-speed from Italy's usual blue/white. Italy are using a changed strip with black shorts for the same reason. Strips on neutral grounds, finals etc, are usually decided on the toss of a coin. Or both change. But earlier in EURO 2020/1 teams were declared home or away from venue to venue across Europe, and the strips followed that.

Anyway - lively start! Spain taking it on!

Italia Italia Italia!

Hence England managed to be away at Wembley for one match.

[jayne lee wilson]

Exciting, but all a bit getting nowhere fast?

Matches like this tend to open up more and more in the 2ndhalf, then players tire, and then.....

The ball-car(rier) is a VW BTW, one of the sponsors.

[Edgy 2]

I can't concentrate on this game, too excited about tomorrow


The National League fixtures for the coming season will be released at 1 pm

[jayne lee wilson]

What a game! What a goal! Wembley a cauldron! Listen to that!

Morata on now.... can he do that thing he does, again?

***

WOW! He just did! In stunning style! Now for it....

[teamsaint]

A deserved and wonderful equaliser.
Really stunning.

[Ein Heldenleben]

A deserved and wonderful equaliser.
Really stunning.

This is one helluva game..

[Dave2002]

This is one helluva game..

[jayne lee wilson]

Thiago (of Liverpool) on for Spain now.... what a sub to have at this stage.... watch his involvement, probably immediate...

[jayne lee wilson]

Lovely spirit out there isn't there..? Great ref too.

Here we go again....

Oh no... anyone but Morata, y'know? We've seen the sheer agony of penalties and penalty shoot-outs in EURO 2020/1, perhaps more than in any other such tournament. Yet.... low to the corner seems to be best.
But - Italy are there. Shame anyone had to lose, but a wonderful game tonight. And a 33-match unbeaten run for Italy.

***

It will be strange waking up tomorrow.... that daylong blending in and out of hope and apprehension...but who would have it any other way?