THOSE FUCKING ENGLAND FLAGS!

Funny thing is, I thought the exact same thing: sitting in with those two narrow banks of four, hoofing the ball aimlessly upfield, desperately protecting a narrow lead, backs to the wall, etc. I was looking for wee Craig Broon in the England dug-out.

EVERYBODY here wheels out the anti-commentator thing. I sort of agree, sometimes, at least in 2002 I was happy when England beat Argentina and then quite anxious that they lose to Brazil given that the hype had increased so dramatically after the Danish match.

Nonetheless I'm not sure it's right to do this, and also as ever, why would I want Brazil to win.

This is such utter nonsense yes, as if they're even halfway as bothered or as interested in archaic national divides as the twats who allege this.

No, not as well. We're not that far off the pace, though. But I don't really see why this is so relevant. The point is that at one time we have been right up there at the top, and for a nation of our size and footballing interest, we should expect to be fighting for that place again. Scotland is much smaller and it would be unrealistic to place the same expectations. Denmark (about the same population) won Euro 1992, but no one expected them to constantly be repeating that achievement.

The flip side of it is that in the South East, you watch the news at 6.00pm and then see almost exactly the same stories on the local news at 6.30pm. But it's not much consolation, eh?

This is nothing to do with sport, sorry.

Denmark won Euro 1992 and who on earth thought they'd do that, England have a chance in every tournament they enter and are certainly not on the tier of confidence that says "we'll go and win a few games and be happy", nor should they be.

They are under-achievers mostly. Like Spain. Who you could also accuse of being ridiculous if they got their hopes up before big tournaments, even moreso than England. But similarly I would expect and be amazed if the Spanish media didn't get excited and consider their side to have a very good chance of winning things.

When Celtic have been having their good runs in European competitions over the past few years, has 1967 been mentioned much?

(world rankings: http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,AllJun2004,00.html?select11=All&cmbMonth=Jun&cmbYear=2004 entirely nonsensical as far as i can tell)

I'm sure I read something saying Celtic and Rangers fans competed for bragging rights over their 9s and 10s in-a-row and that Celtic fans always had the trump card with that Euopean Cup victory. But separating truth from London media myth with regards to the Old Firm is very tough, it seems. Going to live in Scotland to find out the truth is not really on my agenda.

Well I can't speak for Celtic fans generally, but certainly the Scottish press went over it a few times...

Finally I doubt anyone would dispute that England are underachievers, the only reason Spain are considered greater underachivers? COS THEY'VE DONE EVEN WORSE THAN ENGLAND.

x-post Mikey it's borne out of hearing people moaning over and over again here about England, despite the fact we all follow English club teams. Also first hand experience of living in London during the last World Cup and having pretty much every English person I talked to sounding genuinely upset when we lost to Spain.

:-(

I am not terrified about the prospect of meeting Spain, Portugal OR Greece in the quarters. They are all beatable.

Oh, great - now Dadaismus is coming round to evict me.

Err- yes. I work there.

Bingo! As are all the other teams.