The contrast in criticism between English and Italians is mind-boggling. On one hand, you’ve got a team who was 9mins away from qualification and had real reason to be upset about the non-red to Suarez launching into all sorts inquiries about all parties involved and demanding accountability. On th...

Given the poor performances of most major European countries, apart from Holland and Germany, I am beginning to wonder whether the EPL, La Liga and Serie A are really as good as we seem to think they are. Not many European players have really shone, apart from H & G's, either. What does everyon...

Interesting blog post on the state of English football, in particular the blaming of foreigners for their lack of success at national level:

http://www.leftbackinthechangingroom.co ... gland.html

I need a bandwagon to join.

Anyone have a Hellas shirt I can borrow?

Kosta Utd wrote:


I have to say it did break my heart to see the Poms BOTTOM of their group and out of the first round

Me too!

Was always going to be a danger game for Italy, with them only needing a draw and Uruguay requiring the win.

I thought Italy were fantastic against England, not sure what happened to them after that..

Looked pretty deliberate to me, he needs to be given a long international ban now as well.

I did not see that coming!

In January it's about the mid 20s by the looks of it.

I think Taggart needs to leave the HAL as soon as he can. He's a talent, and he needs to be playing with and against the best players he can.

He needs to head to a Holland, Belgium or another Euro feeder league.

Australia needs to start getting players into big European clubs again.

Bomber wrote:Really (re Ryan)? You're taking the piss surely.

Not at all. Not much he could have done about the goals, he was left exposed several times.

I thought he did well when he had a chance.

According to weather.com, the 10 day forecast for Doha is:

43, 44, 44, 44, 44, 46, 46, 46, 45, 41.

Perfect football weather.

Some good signs, but Spain just too good. I thought Davidson and Leckie were once again standouts. McKay had a pretty good game too. And Ryan played well in goals and couldn't do much about the ones that went in. Crazy to think The Netherlands put 5 past Spain. Judging by Australia's games against b...

UEFA have to be careful that the big European clubs don't try and form their own league anyway.

It would strengthen the UEFA tournaments as well, and those clubs from regional comps would be able to compete for bigger sponsors and therefore better players.

What's everyone's thoughts on regional European leagues?

I know they've been talking about a Balkan league for a while now.

Could be a good move to allow strong teams from smaller countries to play other strong clubs from small countries every week.

Still better than what you have there. Time to move on from Neill though! Happy for Wilkinson and Spiranovic to be our central defensive pairing for the World Cup. Rhys Williams to be be ready by the Asian Cup hopefully. This World Cup is as much about the next generation as anything, and it's been...

Expecting a few send-offs and an all-in brawl or threee.

Will make for good viewing!

Japan didn't look all that good against Cote d'Ivoire, so not a bad game for Greece to get back into it.

Were Colombia really good?

I haven't seen all games, but every game I've watched so far have been great.

So much better than South Africa.

And now England vs Uruguay is going to be a massive game.

I hope Italy go a long way in this tournament. They were brilliant to watch.

And not much more needs to be said about Pirlo, he was simply amazing.

That free kick right at the end, wow!

Messi's this morning was pretty good, so was Honda's.

I haven't seen that goal from the Swiss. Will check it out tonight!

Rostrevor vs Unley at Rostrevor this Saturday.

Huge game!