Spot on; let's make sure the right wing nasties don't spoil it. To most of us, it's just about football. It's not even about patriotism to me. Sport is not a good bedfellow for nationalism or politics generally. I hope people look at international football as similar to club football. Most of us align ourselves to a team because of where we are from and because we have a common interest with people we know - and it's often a cross we have to bear. It's sport - not war or politics. You make a very good point about the ethnic background of the team - it mirrors the country. I don't think the boneheads realise how ethnically diverse we have always been; we have always had immigration. There is nobody whose heritage is solely "English".
I don't think anyone has suggested that people shouldn't support the team. And of course it's natural to be grateful for kind treatment. But I think it's the people you need to thank, not the country. Once the country starts having a separate existence from the people, all sorts of bad things start to happen. People should act out of love and respect for other people, not countries. How I wish I could just show support for the team because I respect them rather than because of the flag they play under. No other England team in my life has more deserved it.
Rule Britannia was written in 1740's after thousands of British slaves were eventually freed. From 16th - 18th century they were captured by Barbary pirates operating out of North Africa. They captured fishermen at sea and men, women & children from Devon & Cornish coastal villages and even, in 1631 sacked the Irish town of Baltimore, taking 100 men, women & children. In 1625 1000 sea men from Plymouth alone had been taken. The Royal Navy were busy with the Civil War, Plague, conflicts with France, Spain, Portugal & Dutch Republic and had to few ships to spare. To cut a long story short the Merchants worried about lack of seaman, the seamen themselves were so worried about being kidnapped that they went off to work for other countries so Charles 1st brought in Gunboats and slowly but surely things got back to normal and the famous Rule Britannia got written. So the line Britain never will be slaves meant exactly that, no hidden agenda. There is much more on this moment in history, this is just the briefest of outlines. To anyone interested read 'When Britons Were Slaves in Africa'. Its a BBC History site.
Some decently agricultural challenges so far. Haven’t seen the quality from this match yet that you’d expect but it’s full blooded.
In the PL he would have been off-side by VAR, in this tournament (and in the Euro's) they seem to be going off feet position which is a much better call.
It was close for sure. Thought he looked just, just onside by any measure but I’m watching on a pretty grainy TV in a bar so could be wrong.
