Following Harry Kane's injury time winner for England that gets them to Russia for the World Cup, most English media is making much of another lackluster performance and much more of the 61,000 supporters making paper aeroplanes.
Meanwhile, an almost capacity crowd at Hampden witnessed a very late OG see Scotland jump to 2nd in their qualifying group with most Scottish media making the most of their better than 50/50 chance of also qualifying for Russia.
I guess this is the difference between the current English generation that missed the 'once in a lifetime' success in 1966 and have been subjected to increasingly poor performances 'in the cup' despite the disproportionate English media hype before Euro and World cup events. Despite Scotland's 19 years lost in the wilderness and even longer since a spate of 5 consecutive WC appearances in the 70's and 80's, the generational dissonance doesn't seem anywhere as strong as it is south of Hadrian's.
Hope springs eternal...
Re: Hope springs eternal...
...and now Wales as well!?
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stattointhailand
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Re: Hope springs eternal...
Tam, England won a poor group with relative ease, but most did not realise HOW poor the group was until they see that Scotland stand a chance (you really think 50/50??) to get to the playoffs from it 
Its bloomin obvious Hampden would be packed for International matches, as their footy fans have been starved of watching any decent football matches for years (except on TV), and they dont get too many chances to wear their skirts in public without having the p*** taken out of them. Their main league has had one team in it for years (the rest only being there as makeweights to make up the fixtures)........ even the Spanish Lge has 2 or 3 teams every year
Scotlands chances of reaching the playoffs were probably enhanced with at least 2 (that I remember) Slovenians totting up yellows and being suspended for the next game. Given the suspensions and injuries, and the fact that they wont now qualify, I wonder if their coach may field a team of kids to get some experience.
Good luck to The Taffs, The Paddys and The Jocks in their remaining game ..... Russia is calling
Its bloomin obvious Hampden would be packed for International matches, as their footy fans have been starved of watching any decent football matches for years (except on TV), and they dont get too many chances to wear their skirts in public without having the p*** taken out of them. Their main league has had one team in it for years (the rest only being there as makeweights to make up the fixtures)........ even the Spanish Lge has 2 or 3 teams every year
Scotlands chances of reaching the playoffs were probably enhanced with at least 2 (that I remember) Slovenians totting up yellows and being suspended for the next game. Given the suspensions and injuries, and the fact that they wont now qualify, I wonder if their coach may field a team of kids to get some experience.
Good luck to The Taffs, The Paddys and The Jocks in their remaining game ..... Russia is calling
Re: Hope springs eternal...
They didn't get beat but the Jockinese got stuffed (again). Ugly game towards the end as the (already losers) Slovenians chose to take advantage of a Swedish referee who's day job might as well be minding the Myanmar desk at the UN.
Paid the ultimate price for their disastrous earlier results. In true Scots style, they sobered up in time to miss the last bus home.
twas ever thus
Paid the ultimate price for their disastrous earlier results. In true Scots style, they sobered up in time to miss the last bus home.
twas ever thus
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stattointhailand
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Re: Hope springs eternal...
Love Strachan's comments re Scots ......
"Genetically we are behind. In the last campaign, we were the second smallest, apart from Spain.
"We had to pick a team to combat the height and strength at set-plays. Genetically we have to work at things, maybe we get big women and men together and see what we can do.
"But it is a problem for us because we have to fight harder for every ball and jump higher than anyone else.
"Nobody can tell me their technique, apart from one player, is better than any of ours. But physically we have a problem. We seem to be able to battle it and get through just with sheer determination and skill and work-rate. And that takes a lot out of you."
Nothings changed ....
The Battle of Bannockburn (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Allt nam Bànag, often mistakenly called Blàr Allt a' Bhonnaich; 24 June 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence, and a landmark in Scottish history.
Stirling Castle, a Scots royal fortress, occupied by the English, was under siege by the Scottish army. The English k ing, Edward II, assembled a formidable force to relieve it. This attempt failed, and his army was defeated in a pitched battle by a smaller army commanded by the K ing of Scots, Robert the Bruce.
"Genetically we are behind. In the last campaign, we were the second smallest, apart from Spain.
"We had to pick a team to combat the height and strength at set-plays. Genetically we have to work at things, maybe we get big women and men together and see what we can do.
"But it is a problem for us because we have to fight harder for every ball and jump higher than anyone else.
"Nobody can tell me their technique, apart from one player, is better than any of ours. But physically we have a problem. We seem to be able to battle it and get through just with sheer determination and skill and work-rate. And that takes a lot out of you."
Nothings changed ....
The Battle of Bannockburn (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Allt nam Bànag, often mistakenly called Blàr Allt a' Bhonnaich; 24 June 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence, and a landmark in Scottish history.
Stirling Castle, a Scots royal fortress, occupied by the English, was under siege by the Scottish army. The English k ing, Edward II, assembled a formidable force to relieve it. This attempt failed, and his army was defeated in a pitched battle by a smaller army commanded by the K ing of Scots, Robert the Bruce.