Let’s be honest, we had a cushy route at the last World Cup and the euros, so too much to expect it to happen again. You shouldn’t be expecting ‘easy’ games by quarter final stages. We’re on the tougher side of the draw probably, but realistically only Brazil could claim an easy route - to the semis anyway.
you like the French?!?! My preferred choice of winners in order is England and then anyone but France.
Actually we just need three 0-0 draws and to be good at penalties. Southgate knows this and has a master plan
Yeah I do. Been to France a few times and met loads of very nice locals. They are only a bit 'French' if you shout loudly in English at them. If an attempt at speaking French is made they are very nice people and will happily take the piss out of the attempt whilst trying to help. On the whole a very likeable lot. Gets a bit dodgy in the red light district in Paris mind with the Frank Bruno types with red lipstick and long wigs on trying to tempt you inside their house. It's the only time I held my wifes hand whilst walking about.
oh I have no problem with the French per se. Except Parisians maybe but then the rest of France hates Parisians. I have no problem with the people of any country. Doesn’t mean I have to like their sports teams. I’m fairly specific in national teams I don’t like by particular sport. I hate the all blacks at rugby - feel like they own the sport and have a divine right to win everything. The Aussies at cricket, obviously. So I would want Aussies to beat the all blacks in rugby but lose to them at cricket. Football, I used to like the French when platini, giresse, tigana etc came into the scene… a great side in the early 80’s. But maybe just because they got too good, I’ve found them difficult to warm to. They’ve never really been historically a big footballing nation so it pisses me off that they’re better than us and win things . Completely irrational. But then supporting a football team and inter-club/nationality rivalries generally are generally emotive things I guess.