The Round Ball Game - II

[cloughie]

Seeing the England performance yesterday admittedly does not inspire confidence but being a glass half full Owls supporter over the last couple of seasons has taught me the value of never believing its over until a C21st Wolstenholme says so!
How many past winners of Euros and World Cups have come from teams with very faltering starts. We”ll see dreckly!

[cloughie]

A long time ago; I seem to remember its fall in popularity led to a record rise in apple turnover.

A very TELLing story!

[LMcD]

A very TELLing story!

Did you hear it from William?

[cloughie]

Did you hear it from William?

Hi ho Silver….

[johncorrigan]

Seeing the England performance yesterday admittedly does not inspire confidence but being a glass half full Owls supporter over the last couple of seasons has taught me the value of never believing its over until a C21st Wolstenholme says so!
How many past winners of Euros and World Cups have come from teams with very faltering starts. We”ll see dreckly!

Earlier this year, in these pages, I suggested that England could go on and win the Euros. I have seen nothing to change that viewpoint. They have sauntered through the group stage and, with a touch of fortune, come out top. They have expended little energy, and then, just at the point of requirement, two of their top players show up to kill off the Slovaks. They will all have to turn up against the Swiss. We know how good they are as they even managed a draw against the Scots. They are a fine outfit with good players, but England have better players, some of whom are due a performance. Of course, and I have said it before, England's coach is a weak point, in my opinion. Spain and Austria have looked the best team in the tournament so far, but as you say, cloughie, it is seldom the most attractive team that wins these big tournaments.
I was sorry to see Georgia go - they were a breath of fresh air, but Spain looked terrific last night.

[eighthobstruction]

How many times during a PL season do you hear the phrase "a very disappointing first half". How about, instead of playing 38 x 90 minute games....playing 76 x 45 minute games....2 games being played on the same afternoon with 3 points for each 45 minutes....

[Serial_Apologist]

This may be true, but would it not apply to other big nations too ? Spain for example ?

Do they pay as much?

[eighthobstruction]

Do they pay as much?

No, they get France and Germany to pay and build all their roads....

[eighthobstruction]

....amazing how Slovenia have not been slowing the game down and are not constantly back passing to the keeper (against Portugal)....it's making an end to end game....

[DracoM]

.........yeah, and WHAT a game!

[johncorrigan]

.........yeah, and WHAT a game!

Great couple of goalies on display. You can see why Slovenia do so much defending, as they seem unable to hit barn door from five feet. Portugal would be so much better without Cristiano, but they wouldn't be as good a laugh.

[Pulcinella]

A letter in today's Times that suggests something I've wondered about too:


Harsh penalties

Sir, To manage the tension of penalties [...], I suggest that a shoot-out should take place before the start of a knockout match, rather than after a draw and extra time.

The team losing the shoot-out would still have the opportunity to win within 90 minutes. If that team were to lose or draw at the 90-minute whistle, the opposing side would win.

Responsibility for losing the match would lie with the team, and not an individual player. Perhaps we would see more attacking football. We would also have more certainty in television scheduling.

Margaret Williams
Stourpaine, Dorset

[DracoM]

Decent thinking!

[teamsaint]

A letter in today's Times that suggests something I've wondered about too:


Harsh penalties

Sir, To manage the tension of penalties [...], I suggest that a shoot-out should take place before the start of a knockout match, rather than after a draw and extra time.

The team losing the shoot-out would still have the opportunity to win within 90 minutes. If that team were to lose or draw at the 90-minute whistle, the opposing side would win.

Responsibility for losing the match would lie with the team, and not an individual player. Perhaps we would see more attacking football. We would also have more certainty in television scheduling.

Margaret Williams
Stourpaine, Dorset

Not sure why this would lead to more attacking football from the side which had win the shoot out? And the TV scheduling thing is an infrequent issue during a quiet spell for non - sport TV .

[Pulcinella]

Not sure why this would lead to more attacking football from the side which had win the shoot out? And the TV scheduling thing is an infrequent issue during a quiet spell for non - sport TV .

It would from the team that lost, though, surely, and potentially lead to a more exciting game (though the 'winning' side might just employ frustrating 'passing back and forth to their own players' tactics).

Here's today's letters in response.

Paying the penalty

Sir, A better alternative to penalty shoot-outs would be extra time with fewer players [...]. Just as rugby sevens produces plenty of tries, two ten-minute periods of eight-a-side football will see goals being scored and be more entertaining.
Jasper Stevens
Brighton

Sir, With computer data on each aspect of every match, instead of a penalty shoot-out, study the time that the ball is active in each half of the pitch. The more attacking side wins. This would reduce passing back over the halfway line and goalkeepers lying on the ground clutching the ball like a long-lost teddy bear.
Hugh Williams
Fleet, Hants

Sir, Why not reduce the entire football match to a penalty shoot-out? After all, cricket administrators have successfully reduced five days into 100 balls per side.
Jonathan Forster
Moreton in Marsh, Glos