Getting to the quarters has made this a decent world cup....we have usually under performed. Even qualifying from the group without taking it to the last day was unusual. Semi-finals would be terrific, but fans get so down when hopes get dashed that I wouldn't put it past some of them to want the team lynched if they go out. We have the best opportunity ever to make the final, but that also applies to anyone on our side of the draw. Is it 'preordained' for us....or someone else. We are better than Sweden in a footballing sense, but remember that we weren't the best team in 1966. This will be tough and we need an early goal to open the Swedes up....otherwise this will be a long drawn out game between 2 teams with good organised defences. Please not penalties again....if there is a lucky deflected goal, I want it!!
Yeah I wasn't knocking the achievements of the team. Looking at the draw and how I thought the tournament would play out I had England making the quarter finals, then going out to Germany/Brazil. Obviously the tournament has thrown up a lot of (nice) surprises, but England are still where I thought they would be, all be it with a far better chance of making the semis than I thought originally. The Sweden game is the only game I would make them big favourites for in the knockout stage, Colombia are a decent side and similar to England in my view and Croatia (I'm assuming it is Croatia) are better than England. Fans should obviously enjoy it as England have a far better chance than anyone thought at the start of the tournament to reach the final, it won't be easy though.
If both teams play to their full potential I would back England as slight favourites vs Croatia (they have Lovren at CB ffs!..), I saw nothing in their match against Denmark to be particularly scared of. *Russia might be the tougher match, given that they are the hosts.
I don't know, I think England have the better attack but that's about it, would be an interesting game. Would be fun to see if England played Russia in the semi final, could be carnage in the stands and around the stadium.
I think England will win easily. That is if the players remain more grounded than the fans. I'm back at home for it so I'll thankfully avoid some of the drunken louts who were telling me to move back to my own country at half time during the Colombia game! If ye keep going it will be an unforgettable summer for ye with the weather to add to the excitement
I think work has suddenly woken up to the fact that there is a BIIIIIIIIG game on Saturday, and they are starting to worry about the possibility of absenteeism. We have a 12pm to 8pm shift, and for previous games they have allowed the people on this shift to start and finish early, for evening kick offs, and have extended breaks for the afternoon games, so long as they do their hours around the game. My shift finishes at 1pm, so no worries for me, other than staying awake should it be a slow game.
Don’t forget that Sweden have knocked out Italy and Holland, as well as giving Germany a good scare. They are a good team that a lot of England fans are underrating.
We should beat Sweden, but that isn't the same as will. Things happen and Sweden are a tough side to break down...sometimes you get more space and chances with a side that gets over-confident.
https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/fifa-rebukes-maradona-apos-apos-002623220.html FIFA rebukes Maradona for the unfounded criticism of the officials in the Colombia match.
Why does he care anyway , I swear all that powder has battered his brains . He might of been one of the greatest players ever , but as a person he’s a grade A C*nt!
Be good if Kyle Edmund becomes the first Englishman to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936 on that day too.
Made the semis of the Aussie Open though, but I agree, Fed, Rafa, Novak and co would have to have a shocker...
