There are so many political, social, economic and cultural pros and cons about England as to render the subject an impossible topic for discussion on this forum. Suffice to say that my duel nationality resulted in the (personal) need to make a decision some years back. Here (where my mum migrated to before I was born) in relative poverty, or there among wider family and palpable affluence. Whilst I'd lived both lives, I chose to remain a Brit and slug it out with my mates and new family. I'm happy to say I've never regretted that decision. In the national sporting context, all I want now is for the England team to do itself proud, shut the **** up and play and win like the Dutch! Oh... and a British manager (like Woy Hodgeson!).
England but I find I can't get quite as involved or passionate these days. Eriksson, under orders from Fergie and Wenger, rendered friendlies meaningless so I very rarely watch them. Only tournaments really and my enthusiasm is dulled by seeing just how far we are falling behind other nations technically. It's almost measurable with each one that goes by.
National team is England having been born here. However have a particular loathing towards Wales and Italy for family reasons. Much as I despise John Terry he never chose a number 88 shirt like that fascist c*nt Buffon.
John Terry doesn't know Numbers higher than the one he was given and he is still trying to count that high
The current French President is a total **** ... On the issue of Garlic I keep two cloves on me at all time ... Under my foreskin ... One bits mime the other is Eva's ... I know it not hygienic ... I am going to have to mark my bit in the future .... Unnmmm Betty x
I'm English and shout for them, and also Norway as I lived here so long, but unsurprisingly don't enjoy the football played now by either unfortunately. I also shout for the other British teams especially Scotland due part of my heritage. If England play Norway then in reality who I supported depended on how I liked the teams - back in the days of Graham Taylor when he moved Gary Palister to left back to try to stop the threat he perceived of Bjornebye long passing to Flo (on the right wing), I naturaly supported Norway - Taylor was a f*kkin idiot, and Norway played with spunk back in those days!
Uniquely in world football it is the English who seek to over-complicate and agonize over over whether it's okay to support their national team. We seem to specialize in looking for reasons not to, and congratulate ourselves about how erudite and international we are for not cheering for England, (unlike the great unwashed, uneducated "mob"). It seems to be a peculiarly English pastime. Sure, there are some scum out there who like to drape themselves in the flag of St George, but there's also one or two to be found in R Block who I'm not too sure about either. But a small minority of neanderthals aren't gonna stop me from supporting my team, whether that be club or national. For me it's not complicated at all. England is where I was born, England is where I live. England is who I shout for. Simples.
That is how it should be. WHERE you have born and WHERE you have live should decided WHAT national team you support. That is how i feel it. No matter how arrogant and overpaid players play for it.
Sie Germans. Mentality and attitude second to none. And whenever the Irish qualify for a major tournament I'll follow them as well, fantastic people.
England, but with zero sense of excitement since 1990. No option really, as above it's where I'm from. All other games I like to see the team playing the best football, or the underdog, win. Loved the Dutch team of the 70 s which along with QPR of the same period, taught us how football should be played. But they ruined that by the disgraceful cynical display in the last WC final. Spain are pretty but their racist fans count heavily against them.
That is so true but as i am always on the underdogs side Germans are not just for me. They are like robots and always at their best when they put their national team shirt on. Miroslaw Klose is perfect example . In his time in germany team football with Kaiserlautern ,Werder Bremen and Bayern Munchen he was a good goalscorer but not anything special. When he put germans national team shirt on he suddenly was/is like worlds best goalscorer with 64 nationals goals under his belt and euro 2012 still to come.
I have always hated the German football team - they invented diving! Just take a look at film of the 74 World Cup where they ran at the penalty box and then threw themselves up in the air - it looks really comical and obvious now, but in those days it was new and won them penalties they'd never get now (except in the PL!)
This is were my fascination started. And after crashing down spectacularly during Euro 2000 with an almost geriatric team they had to start from scratch. And actually became underdogs in the next World Cup in 2002 where they had Oliver Kahn to thank for reaching the final as excactly that, underdogs. Though true in the past re playing like robots or a machine, this has been put thouroghly to bed in the last decade. These days only matched by Spain when it comes to free flowing and attractive attacking football. Would never expect anything less from an Englishman. Inventing diving nothing to be proud of, but it is also something very German about it, football is about winning and they have done that to an artform. England was always my favourite national team. Great teams during World Cup 90 and Euro 96. Almost embarrased to admit but as an eleven year old kid I was crying my eyes out when they lost to Germany on penalties in 1990. But England started to lose appeal to me after World Cup 98 and they have never done anything since to recapture my enthusiam. And as many say on here, with the current personel and attitude they won't win many new fans, more likely to lose old ones.
Find it hard to understand why people don't support their home nation. You may not like all the players, you may hate the FA but in my opinion you should still support your country. There have been managers of QPR I've disliked, players I've not liked, Chairman/Owners I've not liked, but I'll always support QPR. Same rings true for England.
Not one for national stereotypes - but the German National Team (aka Die Nationalmannschaft tee heee) really do a good job living up to it. Thorough, professional, organised and efficent - a perfect team. Unlike yourself Oslo - I've always liked watching them play - and they've had some great sides. Now compare England - over-hyped, hubristic, clique-ridden dillettantes. How not to play as a team. Like comparing BMW to British Leyland, with John Terry as RedRobbo. I loved Barton's comment about their Autobiographies after the 2006 finals, so true.
I should say that I obviously want England to win - but I'm backing France at 15/8 to win the group, which is an astonishing standout bet at Corals.
