It is really good to see England, N Ireland and Wales qualify for the European Championship finals - even better if ROI qualify too. After all the negativity over English league clubs performance in the Champions League last couple of seasons, it will be good to see several of the British Isles national teams competing next summer. What they actually do then is another story - but its a start.
For me the issue is very simple. I'm a UK citizen so support all the home nations. As a life time supporter of Irish Repuiicanism I can support Eire too.
I'll s I'll support any team that is entertaining. Simple as that. By the way, are any international teams that entertaining? Look at the rubbish that was served up in the WC from the QFs onwards when teams just concentrated on getting the win at any cost within the borders of legitimacy. And Germany's 7-0 victory was just so one-sided everyone left the bar early.
I'll be cheering for the underdog like Eire (if they qualify), and Wales. Would love Israel and Turkey to qualify but I guess some will be wary of their very excitable supporters so the French authorities are going to have to be on high alert in a lot of cities.
For what it is worth the Euros have become too bloated to provide a great spectacle. I would rather a top 8 straight knock-out tournament in a host nation as was the case many years ago.
Hmn. Personally I suffer enough supporting Saints and England. Buggered if I'm going to add to the anguish by supporting anyone else.
I think it's good that more teams have a chance for competition/tournament football. Even Andorra enjoyed a goal and saving a penalty yesterday. BTW Belgium look a good side....not because of a routine win over Andorra, but the quality of some of their players.
Don't even need to bring politics into it. We share so much culturally because of our common language, and with so many of our citizens moving to one another's countries. It's daft not to be happy for your mates, very often family too. My dad's family are all Scottish, my ex-girlfriend is Irish, and I used to holiday in Wales every year. Plus all those work colleagues and team mates down the years from across these borders. Tonight I'm going to the pub with an Irish couple. The animosity, in my opinion, is for ****ers. I can't understand it.
http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shane-longs-wife-kayleah-when-6611097 When Shane got the ball, his wife thought: Please don't stuff this up.
I have lots of connections too and hope they do well... however, if it ends up very bad for the Welsh, I'll be tempted to pay a visit to dragon wotshisname from the Swansea board
I think the English are more likely to support the other home nations (and Ireland) than the reverse in my experience. I think of it as a bit like Saints fans being happy for Bournemouth. I love the Olympics when we can all support GB.
I vaguely support all nations from the british isles. What can I say, I have a soft spot for that part of the world. Plus, Wales, Northern Ireland and even Ireland to some extent, are underdogs, and everyone loves a good underdog story.
there's nothing worse than watching a sporting event as a neutral, most sport can be boring if you're not rooting for one side or the other. My family heritage is Scottish (my surname is Bathgate), I was born in Southampton and lived in England for 18 years, then moved to Wales for 25 years and then Serbia for the last 11. Gives me plenty of teams to support! I always support England first (except in the rugby when I support Wales - being the only Englishman in a valleys pub for 25 years eventually turns your head!). Then if a team has a Southampton player participating I can spread my support even further. I like to keep interested!
