What a football fan wants most from the World Cup final is a clear and worthy winner. Instead, there is a feeling that everything that could have gone wrong for Croatia, did so. They attacked more, were on the receiving end of a very unfortunate penalty, put the ball into their own net and will forever live with the sense of what could have been.
France eased their way to the trophy throughout the tournament without being spectacular. Their 2-0 quarter-final win over Uruguay and yesterdays’ final were the only occasions they won a game by more than a single goal.
The more interesting element of France’s development as a football powerhouse is what didn’t happen at Russia. The legacy of Guy Roux, who educated the nation on how to develop natural young talent into tier one achievers, fills every top league in Europe today. Celtic’s young Les Bleus are a remarkable example of this.
The win will turn the spotlight onto French football, as a consequence, following up on the signing of Dembele, Ntcham and Eduard will be more difficult. Let’s hope that the wealthy in England are fully focussed on taking advantage of the obvious superiority of the English academy system.
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I ŵent into the garage today. Having noticed a lot of the shops were closed, I asked the wummin behind the counter, “Is it Fair Monday the day?”–“Aye, ah know, am sweatin’ ” she replies.–“Naw, am askin’ if it’s Ferr Monday the day?”–“Och! Ah thought you said it wiz a fair aul’ day.” –“hahahaha.” (The two of us) –“Kin ah huv a thirty pound top up please?”–“Fifteen pounds did ye say?”–“Naw, therty, three zero.”–“Ah thought ye said fifteen.”–“S’awright, s’ma posh accent.” I said.–“Ah thought there wiz somethin’ funny aboot the way ye spoke.” –“hahahaha.” (the two of us again). Quick exit……
16 Roads and Bada…you should have gone in the springtime…or the fall… :-)
WITS
Can only tell it as I experienced it.
HH
New York is my favourite place in the world, been there 11 times, and 2 trips planned in next 18 months, atmosphere in Manhattan is electric, people more open and friendly since 9/11 too.Looking forward to SFTB feedback from his trip.
Monaghan1900
Thanks for the updates from the dark side, easily my favourite …
“We should be supporting our Board …. they’ve plenty to keep them occupied. They’re trying to clean up Scottish Football and rid it of corruption – with no support from any other club”
Kwality… hope they support dodgy Dave the 2nd for ever more
Monaghan1900…those posts were written by Hans Unchristian And Her Son… :-)
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 16TH JULY 2018 8:19 PM
Kwality… hope they support dodgy Dave the 2nd for ever more
—————
He must never leave, Gerry.
I’m in the PRO-Paris camp … my favourite city in the world. A magical place. Like an impressionist painting come to life.
Monaghan1900 at 8.09 pm
““Flicking through the football channels while waiting for the France v Belgium game and saw the Alakshert keeper has 55 on his top, just wondered if he was at the wind up…..”
————
“He knows
Brilliant, pmsl ???
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 16TH JULY 2018 8:20 PM
Monaghan1900…those posts were written by Hans Unchristian And Her Son… :-)
————
You’d be amazed how many sons she’s got, Bobby!
Going to bevworking in Bristol for a while
Forrester arms still Celtic sc bar?
FRIESDORFER on 16TH JULY 2018 8:24 PM
Monaghan1900 at 8.09 pm
““Flicking through the football channels while waiting for the France v Belgium game and saw the Alakshert keeper has 55 on his top, just wondered if he was at the wind up…..”
————
“He knows”
Brilliant, pmsl ???
————–
These eejits are serious, Friesdorfer. I know of no narcotic capable of inducing that level of delusion.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DiP3zoiXUAIIygP.jpg
smiley golden shower thing
braw.
!!BADA BING!! on 16TH JULY 2018 8:19 PM
———-
Agree, been 6 times and going for a week next May. Will miss 8 in a row trophy day.
Rumours about m johnson going out on loan are morw than a little annoying. He looks like a good one. If we get into c league or europa league we will likey play 60 + games for good player with massive potential.
Squad is still to large and needs a good clear out, but dont clear out bhoys that are ready when we have others who are not and will never be ready
HH
Monaghan1900 8.23pm
I will second that, I know Dermot has his detractors and a few don’t like Mr Lawwell (who sometimes annoys me like many other fans) but when you look across the city you sometimes have to appreciate what we have
Keep the “copy n pastes” acoming they fair make me smile :-)
Stephbhoy 8.38pm
Mikey Johnstone getting maybe 30 games in the next 10 months with St Mirren or the odd appearance behind James Forrest, Scott Sinclair, Lewis Morgan, Calmac or any other attacking options …. get the bhoy out and learn his trade and maybe, probably, comes back far better for the experience
I’v been to Paris (on holiday) four times. It has been all things. Mostly good, it does have an atmosphere that is all of it’s own, and in general I have found the natives friendly and helpful. However my las trip there with Mrs H about ten years ago was not so good. It was July but the weather was awful, we got stung in a few restaurants and generally had a pretty poor time. Think it’s like everywhere, it depends on who you meet. Every place I’ve been, there are great folk and there are Bankers. Enjoyment? It’s as much to do with you as it is to what happens.
Right now I am in Munich airport, and our flight to Embra has (at this stage) been delayed an hour….. so right now I would rather be in Paris.
HH
?⚽️
BADA BING- going to new York for the first time end of Aug,canny wait
Bada……..
Every year for the last 30……two trips this year, one pleasure, one business…….it’s always a pleasure!
Nowhere else like it……not even Clydebank!
:)
HH
Mike In Toronto…………Despite all our contrasting views , at the end of the day
nothing compares to the joy that success achieved on big sporting occasions engenders in all of us. We all know life can be dull and tough at times so it was great to see the unbridled joy and happiness of the French people in the last couple of days after winning the big Cup.
Talking of great cities…east Jerusalem if you like history…Tel Aviv if you like to party…
Caracas if you like fear…
Paris
My good Lady and I have been on five occasions,love the place,beautiful city….Roma I have been to once
must admit …may be even more beautiful..bella bella!
Just watched ‘Bus Glhlaschu/Glasgow bus’ on bbc alba about the bus route from Donegal to Glasgow. Worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. Available on bbc I player.
Some place this for travel advice. Anyone been to Bogotá? ???
?⚽️
I give Paris a thumbs up!! Also, Tbilisi–Istanbul–Lisbon–Naples–Havana…
Bugged in Havana…Hugged in East Jerusalem…Mugged in Caracas…
Big Joe@6,44
The single malts or 50 knot gusts have addled your brain.
Never a penalty -))))
Big Bill
You have been to Belfast.
What would you need to go to Paris/Rome for????
And our riots are better.
France overall deserved to win the WC because they beat the best teams.
Hunderbirds…yes, during the Escobar days. My wife was there last year, says it’s much better/safer these days…
Gordy64
Did Maire Rua feature?
Transport for London (TfL) has honoured England manager Gareth Southgate by renaming a tube station after him.
The Three Lions reached the semi-final at the World Cup in Russia and restored the pride of a nation after two disastrous tournaments under Roy Hodgson. Southgate’s achievements with England have been recognised by TfL with Southgate tube station being temporarily rebranded as ‘Gareth Southgate’ for 48 hours from Monday.
Signage on the platforms and in the ticket hall and outside the Grade II* listed Piccadilly Line station will be changed to show the national team manager’s name. A Southgate lookalike and a flashmob of dancers dressed like the England manager will take over the station later this afternoon in a show of support for the national team.
Commuters and football fans are being encouraged to share photos and videos from the day using the hashtag #SouthgateSelfie. Mark Wild, managing director of London Underground at TfL said: “The great performance of the England team this summer brought people of all ages together in celebration. We’re delighted to be able to show our appreciation to Gareth and the team by renaming the station in his honour.”
Southgate and the England squad arrived back in the UK on Sunday afternoon after flying back into Birmingham Airport. Three Lions supporters wanting to welcome the squad home were left disappointed after they were prevented access to the area.
CRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGEEEEEEE CSC
Never been to Belfast…
Traffic Terror….Lagos, Nigeria!!
Still shudder at the number of journeys I made there without tooooo much grief!!
NOT a holiday destination, trust me!!
HH
TC45
BSR…a bit like painting pillar box gold for Andy Murray…
Any suggestions if McLeish wins Euro 20?
Big Ecky Thump (Chump)?
Weebobbycollins 9.28pm
Big Eck… wins Euro 2020 ??
Maybe ask him to pay the tax on his ebt (s) :-)
Ivehadto: thanks for posting the link. Will be taking my students to it whenever this holiday ever ends. Jeannie Johnstone famine ship nearby also worth a visit.
Did you get to Gravediggers? Left a message re bus Saturday night.
TheCelt45…never been so happy to leave a place…stopped 3 times by police from airport to hotel…not a single working traffic light in all the city…
Bada Bing
Won’t argue with you about New York.
Smashing place.
Wee Bobby
Yes missing a treat. Get it on your bucket list-)))