The Football Thread

[Banjo]

It was the only way i thought to catch the attention of USA football fans to which i was really addressing my questions to.However the only response so far is from an trans-nationalist Londoner.To think that the USA hosted this best tornament in the world in 1994 as well as (on paper,hehe)being in the top 10 teams.There must be some American members here that like their footie?
I'm a Sussex born and bred Englishman pretending to the cool dude in Sabata,the  similarity being the instrument ,but not the bells!!
What do you think about Italys chances,Titoli-that is unless you are English(or something else) in disguise?

[Leone Admirer]

trans-nationalist Londoner

I think I'm going to ask to have this put on my passport when I get it renknewed 

[Banjo]

You like baseball,but have you yet adopted the New York drawl?

[Leone Admirer]

Well I go politely rebuked by an editor for using American slang (I didn't mean to honest its just how I speak) but no, I've still got an upper middle class accent that sticks out a mile in Soho 

[Banjo]

Well i should keep it because they say the Americans love the English accent!!

[titoli]

What do you think about Italys chances,Titoli-

I think it is hazardous to say, expecially 6 months before the event. My guess is that an european team is gonna win, as usual when the tournament is played over here. I think Italy's chances are as good as those of any other european  leading team.

that is unless you are English(or something else) in disguise?

Sure.

[Banjo]

You've got a tougher group than England Titoli with the Czech Republic and USA(if they live up to their ranking that is!).Don't know about Ghana though.
Although Brazil are every neutrals favourite team,apart from Germany or France(they had their turn only 7 years ago and they were lucky!) i would prefer a European team to win it next year.I'm envious of you having seen Italy win it in 1982-Paolo Rossi and that game with Brazil-WOW-and i pray to see England once more lift the trophy before i reach my zimmer frame!

[titoli]

Well, I think that we should have won the cup in 1978 and 1990 and not in 1982, when Brazil was the best team. And, don't laugh,   I think we should have had our chance against Brasil in the last edition. Unfortunately our manager wasn't up to the technical level of the team and we succumbed to the odd manoeuvres against us made by FIFA rulers who sent a delinquent to be the referee in the match against Corea.  I like english football, for me the only place where the game is played the way it was meant to be.
And I was really moved, as everybody else, by the recent demise of GB. RIP.

[Banjo]

I can't remember 1978 all that well,only 11 then!
Brazil were definately the best team in 1982 but were badly let down by a dodgy defence and goalkeeper but Italy deserved it after knocking out brazil in that incredible game.England played well in 1982 and were unbeaten but went out because we couldn't score enough goals in the stupid second stage system.
Like England ,were Italy were knocked out on penalties in 1990?Its said both our countries are the unluckiest in the world in these stupid shootouts.In 1990 England would have murdered Argentina in the final to avenge that cheating Maradona had we beaten the lucky Germans in the semis penalty shootout.I also fancied our chances in 1998 before Beckham decided to get himself sent off in the quaters with help from Argentina.
We also threw it away in 2002 to Brazil with them having a man sent off and the flukey lob by the same player.
England just seemed destined to always mess up and it drives me nuts!!!

[titoli]

Talking about unluck, just remember how we lost a european championship to France.

[Banjo]

France were undoubtably a better set up by 2000(no way were they the best team in 1998 and were lucky the way Brazil messed up in the final) but yes Italy were very hard done by that night !

[Banjo]

Titoli,its looking a bit like only you and i care about the World Cup next year.Perhaps the USA membership on this site isn't very representative of sports fans there but maybe as i thought its only the kids there that are interested which is a shame.
How about an England versus Italy final and may the best team win!!!

[titoli]

Let's talk about it again in June, uh?

[Banjo]

Yes,we'll resurrect this thread then!

[Banjo]

OK Titoli-resurrected as promised!
Good news for England-it appears that Wayne Rooney might even be fit for Englands opener against Paraguay on Saturday  .Any news about Totti?