Absolutely delighted the Dutch injected some swagger into the World Cup last night. Diego Costa continued the pattern this week of Brazilian born players profiting from a tumble inside the box, gifting Spain an early lead from the penalty spot, but the Dutch were irresistible.
Exactly how they managed to improve their performance against Spain, four years after losing the World Cup Final with the imperious Edson Braafheid, is a mystery of the modern game.
Netherlands scored all those goals and created even more chances with a meagre 36% possession. If they were German, we would be reverting to the national stereotype that they were the epitome of ‘efficiency’.
Speaking of the Germans, I’ve always had a lot of time for Franz Beckenbauer, but to find himself banned from football for coming up short in a matter with the words “Fifa” and “ethics” in it, must make him the most notorious German since, erm, well, in quite a long time. With his former Bayern Munich teammate Uli Honess due to be jailed this month for financial maleficence, it’s better to assume no one in the game is above sticking his snout in the trough.
The soul of football depends on the outcome of this Fifa investigation; no one should be above its reach. Beckenbauer’s provisional ban should be verified. Kick him out the game.
Fantastic stuff on the blog yesterday from Bertie Auld; what an honour to have these great guys among us. I’m heading to the Celtic Shop on Argyle St today where Bertie, Tommy Gemmell and John Hughes will be signing books between 13:00 and 16:00. If you’re in town I’ll see you there.
The Big Cup’s going to be there, so bring a camera.
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ryecatcher
18:35 on 14 June, 2014
No chance of anything other than a South American winner of this competition……Absolutely no chance.
Deutschland Deutschland Uber Alles
I think Torres miss last night was seboesque
beatbhoy
18:21 on 14 June, 2014correct ….!!
beatbhoy
18:21 on 14 June, 2014
Correct…!! ….(finger slip….hahahaha)
Gary67….
I would love Germany to win but just can’t see it mate.
Last 4 at best methinks.
The humidity and the refs will stop them.
ryecatcher 18:35 on 14 June, 2014
I fancy Argentina to beat Germany in the final.
But it’s not too controversial to say Brazil have a very good chance of winning it as well.
Eddieinkirkmichael
I just checked and since 1955 when I was 9 I have lived and prospered (in relative terms) under a UK Government run by the Conservatives 7 times and Labour 7 times and that as a guy from Glasgow ‘ s East End.
The current lot, the first Coalition on the list are more a reflection of Labour’s move to the Centre than a desire for the UK to go right.
In fact the lurch from one to the other in equal measure suggests the UK prefers centrist policy and eschews extremes and without the Scottish leaning to the left we could end up with an unhealthy polarisation on national and idealogical grounds in what is a not particularly large land mass surrounded by water.
It is history that has brought the UK to the current point of development where we are in a dip in what has been an upward improvement in living standards in my time from 1955. We should not be making decisions on future history without reference to the lessons the past has taught us.
Grown mhan blubbing more than Lottie.
She’s beautiful.
Thanks so much for all the good wishes.
Left click, think I’ll call you Clic Chwith from here on in mate, touched bud.
Does dim byd well na baban bach yn dy freichiau yn edrych lan atot…
My next favourite World Cup is Qatar 2022.
Although Russia/Ukraine 2018 could be explosive!
MWD says AYE
ryecatcher
Sometimes teams peak too early.I wouldn’t right the Spanish off,too much class there to dismiss them.It’s well overdue that a European team wins in South America so maybe it’s this time round.
Congrats WWC
Nout wrang wae a happy tear at the birth of a Tim buddy.
MWD says AYE
Not be long till my fav fitba anchor man
Adrian Chiles is on…….it is a little know
fact that the bold AC is a consultant to
the Green Brigade…….while I’m on I would
like to once and for all squash the rumour
that AC is a front for blue pitch holdings or
that other mob how’s name I cannae spell.
WWC congratulations. Now spoil her rotten :))
Nye
Is AC really Craigy whyte in disguise
Paul,
A FIFA investigation is tantamount to David Murray and his accountant holding an inquiry as to where the money went. Gless hooses comes to mind.
I’ve always considered the huns behavior and circumstances a microcosm and example of many of the worlds various governing bodies, in particular FIFA. They will continue on their path of arrogance, but eventually the truth will out.
Perhaps there’s a certain honorable gentleman over Raith way that could sort out FIFA’s mess.
Fav wc is mexico 70 -next will be scotland 2050 to coincide with my 100th birthday
moonbeams wd. wee oscar’s our bhoy and kano’s our mhan.
18:37 on 14 June, 201
“Oh, you are awful!”
I think sammi will be on his holibobs soon 3-0
I had a 1-1 but that’s the Greeks sunk without trace 3-0 FT
Auldheid
What lessons from history?
MWD says AYE
From a CQN poster
Graham A @graham1A 24m
The Greek tradition of smashing plates was started by someone doing the dishes while watching Samaras playing for Greece. #GreekFacts
SOAL
……McDowell?
My Hun bro in law has just informed me that the incredibly talented Arno Peralta is injured and can’t take part in Ecuador’s first match.
Omg……The 500 million world wide Bears must be in mourning thinking their best player,and their only one at the World Cup, will not be strutting his sublime,silky skills and enhancing his transfer value to a Galactico level from the 3rd tier of Scottish fitba.
P.S. Never seen him play and don’t even know what he looks like lol…..it’s just the Huns seem to think he’s a cross between Mascherano and Messi
bankiebhoy1
Does he not post on MUQN
Fingers on the buzzer……….
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
18:48 on
14 June, 2014
Nye
Is AC really Craigy whyte in disguise
___________________________________
SSH…..ya loud mouth!!!!
Lenny being hard on Sammi again……oh well…..
SOAL
never seen ‘im……….an’ am never aff it……….
HH
gary67
18:29 on 14 June, 2014
Another job Lenny misses out on in the land of milk and honey. Alan Irvine appointed head coach of West Brom. Their fans not impressed.
::::::
I did say that I thought NFL would find it almost impossible to get a job in EPL as there are a fair number of experienced managers out of work down there, but all the best to him.
By the ole bye, est day of the year so far down here by far. Still, wall-to-wall sunshine. Been like this since about 2 o’clock. Long may it last. Trouble is I want to watch the football.
auldheid
18:41 on 14 June, 2014
Eddieinkirkmichael
I just checked and since 1955 when I was 9 I have lived and prospered (in relative terms) under a UK Government run by the Conservatives 7 times and Labour 7 times and that as a guy from Glasgow ‘ s East End.
Auldheid
Good to know you prospered. What about your fellow eastenders ?.
Assume you are talking about the general situation as you lived there.
BBC showing great analysis in what makes a top hard working striker, the crosses into the box with Samaras and Gekas not bursting a gut to get past the defender in the hope he ball is crossed into a dangerous area.
I’d expect some Celtic fans to say, the right back couldnae croas a baw, actually it’s often the striker’s prerogative to beat the defender as was the case several times today.
Greece did have the chances to make a game of it, but they didn’t have the quality in the striker department.
Lessons from history
This is a list of countries and territories formerly ruled or administered by the United Kingdom or part of the British Empire, with their independence days:
Afghanistan 19 August 1919
Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981
Australia 1 January 1901
Bahamas 10 July 1973
Bahrain 16 December 1971
Barbados 30 November 1966
Belize 21 September 1981
Botswana 30 September 1966
Brunei 1 January 1984
Canada 1 July 1867
Cyprus 1 October 1960
Dominica 3 November 1978
Egypt 28 February 1922
Fiji 10 October 1970
The Gambia 18 February 1965
Ghana 6 March 1957
Grenada 7 February 1974
Guyana 26 May 1966
India 15 August 1947
Israel 14 May 1948
Iraq 3 October 1932
Ireland (26 counties) 24 April 1922
Jamaica 6 August 1962
Jordan 25 May 1946
Kenya 12 December 1963
Kiribati 12 July 1979
Kuwait 25 February 1961
Lesotho 4 October 1966
Malawi 6 July 1964
Malaysia 31 August 1957
Maldives 26 July 1965
Malta 21 September 1964
Mauritius 12 March 1968
Myanmar 4 January 1948
Nauru 31 January 1968
New Zealand 6 February 1840
Nigeria 1 October 1960
Pakistan 14 August 1947
Qatar 3 September 1971
Saint Lucia 22 February 1979
Saint Kitts and Nevis 1983
Seychelles 29 June 1976
Sierra Leone 27 April 1961
Singapore 31 August 1963
Solomon Islands 7 July 1978
South Africa 11 December 1931
Sri Lanka 4 February 1948
Sudan 1 January 1956
Swaziland 6 September 1968
Tanzania 9 December 1961
Trinidad and Tobago 31 August 1962
Tuvalu 1 October 1978
Uganda 9 October 1962
United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971
United States 4 July 1776
Vanuatu 30 July 1980
Yemen 30 November 1967 South Yemen 1967
Zambia 24 October 1964
Zimbabwe 18 April 1980
For all the current problems of some of the above countries history has taught us that each wanted, fought or voted for Independence and none wants back to be governed by the Empire.
MWD says AYE
An ordinary but functional England should beat a poor Italian side tonight.
There will be value to be had on the Betting Exchanges.
Neither team will be good enough to figure in the last 8.
Uruguay and England to qualify from that section methinks.
England are a better side than most people in Scotland give them credit for, but still not better than moderately good…..There are at least 8 better teams in the competition.
Their manager is ultra cautious ……..nice guy but his tactics will result in what they deserve.
Italy will be home before the postcards….Hope England beat them tonight.
WWC,
Fantastic news.
You’ve earned the right to bubble.
“Who lives in a house like this?
…………the klues are there……………………”
Aye.
Really? CSC
ryecatcher
19:14 on
14 June, 2014
An ordinary but functional England should beat a poor Italian side tonight.
There will be value to be had on the Betting Exchanges.
Neither team will be good enough to figure in the last 8.
—————————————————————–
Where did you read that ?
Auldheid….
A shining example to Eastenders ,like us , to look up to?
Jack Irvine…….lol
Betcha even his dug hates him
Feckin slime ball……..
Remember him well, he hasn’t changed one bit,ey?