Tournament of the underdogs

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Spain were cut low by Chile, England by Uruguay, Italy by Costa Rica.  Argentina were pushed to the last gasp by Iran, Germany had to come from behind to match Ghana.  Add to this the merit badges earned by Croatia against Brazil, Bosnia against Argentina and the Aussies against the Dutch, and we have a remarkable list of performances by underdogs against countries who to some extent fancied their chances for the trophy.

The most striking feature of all these performances is the way the results were achieved.  Apart from their own dead rubber in the Nou Camp last season, Celtic beat or narrowly lost to Barcelona in a series of games over the last decade by defending their 18 yard box as though their lives depended on it.  Ventures forward were never supported by many players.  We’ve not been alone, this is the way lower-resource clubs have taken on the super-rich in the Champions League.

World Cup 2014 has seen this change.  Australia, Iran and Bosnia will head home proud of their performances, something which takes balls.  When we’re inevitably drawn against Barca next time in the Champions League, should we press them high up the field?  My feeling is, we would be slaughtered, but at one point in this tournament, we need to mature.

Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.

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  1. bournesouprecipe

     

    18:21 on

     

    22 June, 2014

     

    Camera pans in on guy sleeping during the Russia – Belgium game.

     

     

    ——————————

     

    Glasgow cooncil workers get everywhere.

  2. minx1888 praying to Wee Oscar on

    Jamesgang – fantastic achievement glad there is no dead leg for you ;-)

     

     

    On John Bonner I was in the Londoner one evening after work yes I was too young but only just! A picture of Jock Stein came on the TV My grandfather was in the pic, John overheard me tell a colleague, he came over he knew my grandfather well! After he checked I knew not to venture into any other establishments in the area. He sat with us and shared his memories of my Grandfather and Jock. A lovely lovely man.

     

     

    And no I never seen him play ;-)

  3. PFayr

     

    I took him in my fantasy football team in work,

     

    also based my defence round Spain and had Gerrard in my midfield,

     

    so far I have 4 points the leader has 87

  4. WeefratheTim on

    dallas dallas

     

     

    Lol. You are, of course correct. Thankfully the “healthy smells” usually last a matter of hours till the sh……..sorry the slurry dries. Yip, hopefully the draw is kind to us though I won’t hold my breath. Although I might wi the smells. :-))

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  5. The problem with this game is that a draw is a good result for Belgium, and a defeat would leave Russia struggling to qualify, so, safety first unfortunately.

     

    Due a game like this, I suppose, after the great opening week.

  6. HT. Thanks pal. And for your kindness. Had I known the Russia match would would have been so boring I might have kept peddling!

     

     

    Minx. Thank you. And thank you!

     

     

    PhewCSC

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  7. WeefratheTim on

    margaret mcgill

     

     

    I would pay to see that fotie. Lol

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  8. Minx and VP

     

     

    Thank you for kind thoughts and words. It does help.

     

     

    And we’re in a good place today.

  9. WeefratheTim on

    jamesgang

     

     

    Well done young mhan. You did well. :-)

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  10. I once won Mr Afitos, part of which involved an undies swap my then girlfriend. I am 6’4”. She was 5’2”. Things you’ll do with a drink in you!

     

     

    Wouldn’t try it at butlins mind. So passé!

     

     

    IwasMuchSlimmerThenCSC

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  11. Thanks Weefra. 2 of the best days of my life. Road from Oban to tyndrum was stunning. And then a pint of peroni at lochearnhead. Celebrated with a fudge doughnut at fisher and Donaldson in Cupar.

     

     

    Prob heavier than when I started!!!

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  12. WeefratheTim on

    eldiegobhoy

     

     

    Your inner strength is amazing. You are an inspiration to us all.

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  13. skyisalandfill on

    jamesgang

     

     

    I must have missed your original post on your charity cycle. Exceedingly well done young man.

     

    Have stuck on a wee donation for the cause.

     

     

    Once again well done

     

     

    HH

  14. skyisalandfill

     

     

    You’re a gentlemhan. Thanks

     

     

    Got the bike set up properly and made a world of difference and prob saved me a fortune at the osteopath!

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  15. WeefratheTim on

    jamesgang

     

     

    We have bestest friends who live in Loch Awe village and have travelled that road from Tyndrum on many occasions, including Hogmanay. You are correct, some of the most wonderful scenery in the world. Good on ye kiddo. :-)

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  16. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon on

    jamesgang

     

    Well done on your efforts sir.

     

    Respect to you and hugs tae the good lady & Gang.

     

     

    Off to hang 9 strips of Wallpaper before game at 8

     

    I should have stayed and finished it instead of watching this game:((

  17. WeefratheTim on

    jamesgang

     

     

    Let me know the charity address and I’ll put a wee donation in. :-))

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  18. Weefra and Jamesgang

     

     

    Clearly you don’t know me:o)

     

     

    The blog allows us to put out personal things that perhaps might not be too wise but until now hasn’t harmed me or those close to me. And by and large we’re a pretty good bunch on here.

     

     

    Take care guys.

  19. You should Leftie. By the Big Mhan loves you so he’d just given you a decent wee goal!

     

     

    I’ll tell mrs jamesgang her pin-up Bhoy was asking after her!

     

    :-)

     

    HH jamesgang

  20. WeefratheTim on

    eldiegobhoy

     

     

    You are more than welcome young mhan. :-)

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  21. Greeninbingley on

    parkheadcumsalford

     

     

    18:45 on 22 June, 2014

     

    3 minutes to go, Hazard wakens up and provides the ass for the goal.

     

     

     

    Was Russia a brothel at the back?

  22. WeefratheTim on

    Just what this game needed. Pity it was so late.

     

     

    Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.

  23. cliftonville celt from belfast on

    Fantastic to see the Russians beaten (horrible experience of them few years ago)

     

     

    Here’s hoping for repeat of last years draw tomorrow

     

     

    Weefra – they’ve been spraying sh&@ here all day and there’s no sun to dry it in quickly – honking

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