England v Panama, 24th June, 1pm(GMT)

[Stevencc]

Tbf you have beaten tunesia and Panama.

Panamas squad is really awful. One of them is playing for the reserve side of KrC Genk in Belgium, One in the second mexican division and one in Guatemala ffs.

Anyway: Fun fact. Its the first time since the 1966 final that England has scored 4 or more goals at a wc.

It is also the first time we've even managed to scored more than two goals in a World Cup game since 2006.*

*Besides qualifiers, obviously, where we've put more goals past sides like Malta, Moldova and Scotland.

 

[Pagnell]

Except, we can (and did). For the 2008 qualifying campaign we beat France twice and finished ahead of then WC QFs Ukraine. It was a fantastic campaign but Italy and France qualified ahead of us in the only two spots available.

The fact people don't understand this is astonishing. The odds are stacked against nations like Scotland for WC Qualifying, and it will only improve slightly with a 48 team WC.

If we go in thinking every campaign without qualification is a failure, we will keep ripping up systems and exist in a state of flux rather than building on success.

It's not a question of not understanding your mental state of inferiority, it's a question of believing such a state is bullshit and counter productive.

 

[blademan89]

Watching this in Benidorm, going to be very, very messy

I did too, where did you watch it, it wasn't as hectic as I expected, early kick off being the reason, people still recovering

 

[Chris FGR]

Nice to see us represented over in Russkie.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010617704854753280

 

[dedwardp]

The achievement of making a semi final maybe, but stand out performance wise Panama might edge it. Indeed, is there anything in the Euros that compare?

Holland in '96? I was only four at the time so I can't claim to know much about the state of the Dutch team at the time, but that always seems to be held as the best performance in modern (ish) times doesn't it?

 

[PuB]

We can have a good qualifying campaign and not qualify.

You could try to win some games, have a good campaign AND qualify. You know.

On another note I watched the '78 World Cup documentary on Scotland the other night, very enjoyable.

 

[GodsGift]

It must REALLY annoy Hugh that Uruguay, with a population of 3.4m, continue to do so well at major tournaments while Scotland (5.2m) can't even qualify.

 

[Laker]

Holland in '96? I was only four at the time so I can't claim to know much about the state of the Dutch team at the time, but that always seems to be held as the best performance in modern (ish) times doesn't it?

It was a very good Dutch side which had 5 starters from the Ajax side which won the European Cup the previous year plus the others weren’t exactly poor players. I’d say that game was the “peak” in my lifetime watching England - I was 12.

But we only won two games out of five at Euro 96 so it’s maybe a tournament where our overall performance has been overrated since?

 

[SALTIRE]

Reflecting the delusion...

 

[Skinner]

I did too, where did you watch it, it wasn't as hectic as I expected, early kick off being the reason, people still recovering

The british meeting point, just on the strip where the 3 pubs with big screens were. Fucking hell, fancy meeting up for a pint?

 

[Skinner]

I genuinely believe we’ll win it. I know me just posting that comment will give that weird Scottish fella material for the next six months but who gives a fuck. When you’ve got a striker that can score goals you’re always in for a chance. I’m also sick of being reserved just because of those people. If I didn’t think we had a chance then what’s the point, we may as well just pack up and go home.

 

[blademan89]

The british meeting point, just on the strip where the 3 pubs with big screens were. Fucking hell, fancy meeting up for a pint?

Haha I watched it in the same place , called the crown ain't it, bug group of chesterfield fans next to us in their,we Got in there before anyone and still ended up with a shit view. Back home now unfortunately or would have pal. One of my most enjoyable trips to Benidorm, world cup all day sat in sun boozing then the nightlife of benners after, can't fucking beat it.

 

[Stevencc]

I genuinely believe we’ll win it. I know me just posting that comment will give that weird Scottish fella material for the next six months but who gives a fuck. When you’ve got a striker that can score goals you’re always in for a chance. I’m also sick of being reserved just because of those people. If I didn’t think we had a chance then what’s the point, we may as well just pack up and go home.

Which one?

The really weird one, or the one that's alright really but has a blind spot when it comes to tribal shit?

 

[Skinner]

Haha I watched it in the same place , called the crown ain't it, bug group of chesterfield fans next to us in their,we Got in there before anyone and still ended up with a shit view. Back home now unfortunately or would have pal. One of my most enjoyable trips to Benidorm, world cup all day sat in sun boozing then the nightlife of benners after, can't fucking beat it.

I probably see you then. We got there at about 11 and sat on the same tables. I was the one fella that was sat with his missus. You weren’t the group where someone got ice water in a bucket poured over em were ya?

 

[Skinner]

Which one?

The really weird one, or the one that's alright really but has a blind spot when it comes to tribal shit?

There’s only one weird Scottish prick on here mate

 

[blademan89]

I probably see you then. We got there at about 11 and sat on the same tables. I was the one fella that was sat with his missus. You weren’t the group where someone got ice water in a bucket poured over em were ya?

Yep I know who you were then that was me pouring it on me brother who's stag do it was.

 

[Abertawe]

1FF members need to wear some kind of symbol so we can identify each other in chance meetings. Imagine how random if you're getting smashed in Benidorm and someone comes up to ask if you post on 1ff.

 

[Skinner]

Yep I know who you were then that was me pouring it on me brother who's stag do it was.

Ha did he need a new phone

 

[St. Juste]

Ok but for this year's WC qualification, what would you class that? Slovakia has a population of 200k more - I live here, football isn't even their 1st sport either.

In general though I'd agree with your point of failure/qualifying for a WC but for the Euros Scotland should be challenging a lot more.

You're the 26th largest country in Europe and most likely invest a lot more into football than many countries who are even larger than you do.

Yeah this qualifying campaign wasn't brilliant but we finished third in the group, equal on points with the team in second. It certainly wasn't a disaster.

We have only had one qualifying campaign with a 24 team Euros where we were unlucky not to qualify, we will qualify for an enlarged Euros more often than not.

As for investment, Scotland has had for decades a government that hates football. We chronically underinvest and have a deeply irresponsible national broadcaster. There is no reason why we shouldn't be investing far more per capita than Iceland.

The 3-1 win over a France side that had Platini and Tigana in 82 ranks higher.

As does a 3-0 wins against Paraguay and Denmark in the knock out stages of 86 & 2002.

So it's their 4th best result in an international tournament since 1966? Quite an achievement.

I can't speak for everyone but from what I can tell, anyone who has wrote 'it's coming home' on forums and social media is clearly saying it tongue in cheek.

And also anyone who thinks England invented football don't really understand the history of the game.

It is also the first time we've even managed to scored more than two goals in a World Cup game since 2006.*

*Besides qualifiers, obviously, where we've put more goals past sides like Malta, Moldova and Scotland.

The last time England played Scotland they needed a last minute equaliser.

It's not a question of not understanding your mental state of inferiority, it's a question of believing such a state is bullshit and counter productive.

Right, so when we didn't finish ahead of then World Cup Finalists France and Italy that was a complete failure of a campaign?

This is absolute nonsense and you know it.

Anyone who thinks England reaching a QF would be a good tournament should understand that in certain circumstances (i.e. incredibly tough groups) Scotland finishing high but not qualifying is still a success.

It's like saying some non league team reaching the 3rd round of the FA cup, then losing, is a failure. It is not.

 

[St. Juste]

I genuinely believe we’ll win it. I know me just posting that comment will give that weird Scottish fella material for the next six months but who gives a fuck. When you’ve got a striker that can score goals you’re always in for a chance. I’m also sick of being reserved just because of those people. If I didn’t think we had a chance then what’s the point, we may as well just pack up and go home.

Yep, that's the position of most England fans in most tournaments.

They never learn.

 

[SF_]

So it's their 4th best result in an international tournament since 1966? Quite an achievement.

Quite incredible that a Scottish football fan thinks they can take the piss considering they haven't been involved in one for 20 years, or a European Championships for that matter.

Fair play to you.

 

[St. Juste]

Quite incredible that a Scottish football fan thinks they can take the piss considering they haven't been involved in one for 20 years, or a European Championships for that matter.

Fair play to you.

Touched a nerve it seems. England fans are a very serious bunch.

I wonder if Brazil rationalise their poor performance by saying "at least we are better than England".

I can answer that - they do not.

England being better than Scotland means nothing, I'm afraid, you have more than ten times our population.

 

[Bobbin']

And also anyone who thinks England invented football don't really understand the history of the game.

The way the modern game of football is played was certainly shaped in England.

So it's their 4th best result in an international tournament since 1966? Quite an achievement.

It was 6-1 you wally. It would be most sides best result since the ‘66 World Cup.

The last time England played Scotland they needed a last minute equaliser.

And the time before that they brushed them aside 3-0 in the same campaign.

Yep, that's the position of most England fans in most tournaments.

No it isn’t.

 

[Bobbin']

you have more than ten times our population.

Ding ding ding ding ding ding

 

[SF_]

Touched a nerve it seems. England fans are a very serious bunch.

I wonder if Brazil rationalise their poor performance by saying "at least we are better than England".

I can answer that - they do not.

England being better than Scotland means nothing, I'm afraid, you have more than ten times our population.

I don't take anything from being better than Scotland or Wales, it's a given.

I'd rather compare it to teams who qualify for tournaments.

Denmark, Uruguay, Switzerland, Iceland, Serbia, Croatia, Sweden & Costa Rica all compete in world football with similar populations (yawn)... ever considered Scotland are just a load of old shite when it comes to football?

 

[Skinner]

Yep, that's the position of most England fans in most tournaments.

They never learn.

But it ain’t though is it

As I said in my original comment, you’ll use my one line to beat England fans with for the next six months. I really don’t understand what you expect. We could all completely hate England and actually post that we hope their plane crashes on the way to a tournament and you’d still say we’re too positive.

You must live a very empty life, mate.

 

[SeasideKurt]

If I was Scottish I'd be on a summer break somewhere, drinking my iron bru (genuinely love that stuff) ignoring all things football.

 

[blademan89]

Ha did he need a new phone

Haha nope , soon dried out.

 

[St. Juste]

The way the modern game of football is played was certainly shaped in England.

It was 6-1 you wally. It would be most sides best result since the ‘66 World Cup.

And the time before that they brushed them aside 3-0 in the same campaign.

No it isn’t.

The way the modern game of football is played was also certainly shaped in Scotland. However, it's not a phrase we ever is (legitimately we certainly could).

I'd say most sides best results would be beating a better team than Panama.

The 3-0 game was interesting, England only managed three shots on target to Scotlands 2.

I don't take anything from being better than Scotland or Wales, it's a given.

I'd rather compare it to teams who qualify for tournaments.

Denmark, Uruguay, Switzerland, Iceland, Serbia, Croatia, Sweden & Costa Rica all compete in world football with similar populations (yawn)... ever considered Scotland are just a load of old shite when it comes to football?

Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland all have more than (or almost) twice Scotlands population.

Iceland have qualified for far less international tournaments than Scotland.

Costa Rica come through a much easier qualifying section.

So, that brings you down to Uruguay, Denmark and Croatia.

And there is far more large nations than us doing worse, e.g. Hungary - a country with fantastic footballing pedigree.

England are doing worse than far more similar sized (or smaller) nations such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Colombia etc. etc.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

But it ain’t though is it

As I said in my original comment, you’ll use my one line to beat England fans with for the next six months. I really don’t understand what you expect. We could all completely hate England and actually post that we hope their plane crashes on the way to a tournament and you’d still say we’re too positive.

You must live a very empty life, mate.

Nope, just now.

The blissful arrogance of England fans is actually quite endearing. They really do believe that they will win the World Cup, that Pickford is better than Alisson and that Walker is better than Kimmich.

It's an amusing child like ignorance, same with flat earthers and people who think the moon is bigger than the sun. When they do eventually lose, they will probably blame the referee or foreigners in the Premier League.

Then rinse and repeat next time.

England will eventually not embarrass themselves at a tournament, it might be this year. Will be the first time since 2006.

If I was Scottish I'd be on a summer break somewhere, drinking my iron bru (genuinely love that stuff) ignoring all things football.

You've misspelled Irn Bru.

 

[SF_]

Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland all have more than (or almost) twice Scotlands population.

Iceland have qualified for far less international tournaments than Scotland.

Costa Rica come through a much easier qualifying section.

So, that brings you down to Uruguay, Denmark and Croatia.

And there is far more large nations than us doing worse, e.g. Hungary - a country with fantastic footballing pedigree.

England are doing worse than far more similar sized (or smaller) nations such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Colombia etc. etc.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Iceland are qualifying and competing now which is all that matters.

Costa Rica may be in an easier qualifying section but you've still never beaten them.

Uruguay, Denmark and Croatia absolutely smash Scotland out of the water.

I doubt football is even the main sport in some of the countries listed above, nor do they have clubs that compare in size to the likes of Celtic and Rangers.

How are we doing worse than the countries you have listed? we've qualified from our group in the world cup, while teams like Holland and Italy didn't even make the tournament.

Can we now agree that Scotland are just shit?