Never Ending Wall Of Sport
Jun 18th, 2016 by 'holic
I have square eyes, it is official. Since the events of Thursday have seen five of six Euros contests, a gripping T20 cricket match, and a remarkable series clinching win by England in Australia with the egg-shaped ball. If you are a sports lover this is a wonderful time to be alive.
Only the inconvenience of having to put a full day in at work (the first in three days) meant I could only listen to Italy’s nigh on inevitable late winner against Sweden. I still haven’t seen it, or indeed any of the match so feel unable to comment further. By the time Croatia and the Czech Republic kicked-off I was in the local, and taking full advantage of the cut price pints!
The Croatians so dominated most of the match and that was obviously frustrating for this far from neutral observer. Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky found themselves 0-2 down with a quarter of an hour to go, then all the drama unfolded on and off the pitch. It was a joy to see Tomas roll back the years with one sublime cross with the outside of the foot that demanded a finish from Skoda (no, I’m not going there!).
Joy turned to sadness when Tomas pinged a hamstring and became a passenger. Was that the last we will see of him on a football pitch? It was confirmed today he will certainly miss the rest of the Euros. Croatia’s thugs then became the centre of attention, turning on their own supporters and unleashing a barrage of flares and firecrackers. I read earlier that they may well be motivated to get their team kicked out of the team to spark regime change in the Croatian FA.
Whatever their reason their distracted team conceded a last minute penalty and Necid ensured that the Czech’s hopes of reaching the last sixteen remain alive. A pleasant memory perhaps for Tomas to reflect on as he goes into a summer of decision for him.
Talking of distraction Spain’s comfortable thumping of Turkey was watched through half of one eye as it shared double billing with the Surrey versus Middlesex T20 at the Oval. Surrey and Spain were dominant, and the two goals that Alvaro Morata scored will have once again raised hopes amongst the Arsenal faithful that we are involved in any discussions about his future this summer.
Watching powerful opponents take each other to the limits of physical exertion at half past ten in the morning is an eye-opener in more ways than one. England, seeking their first ever series win in Australia asked for and gave no quarter. The Wallabies, not surprisingly, were more than happy to engage in a bruising encounter. England somehow protected, and then extended a narrow advantage, finally winning 7-20. It was gripping, unmissable top flight sport.
The good mood didn’t last long. The Republic of Ireland held Belgium for 50 minutes, and might have had the lead if the referee hadn’t bottled it when Shane Long was the victim of a double kung-fu assault. There had to come a time though when Belgium’s misfiring (please don’t say it) golden generation (you said it, damn you!) clicked into gear. Lukaku started and finished the scoring with Wiesel’s header splitting those two strikes.
Iceland gave us hope for a fairytale finish when awarded a penalty against the Hungarians. Gyfli Sigurdsson converted from the spot and the rearguard action that followed was cruelly ended when the unfortunate Saevarsson turned Nemanja Nikolic’s cross into his own net to hand Hungary a point.
As I type a rather dull contest between Portugal and Austria is becoming hugely enjoyable. Who wouldn’t enjoy the sight of the loathsome, self-important Ronaldo firing a penalty against the post, and then seeing a match winning header ruled out for offside. In vain it seems I am waiting for Leicester’s Austrian defender, Christian Fuchs, to make a mistake so I have as a headline, For Fuchs Sake. Hey-ho, the whistle just blew on a 0-0.
Now, how to end this Saturday. Of course, the US Open is on live.
Have a great Sunday, ‘holics.
93 Responses to “Never Ending Wall Of Sport”
I’m struggling to watch as much of the Euros as many Holic. Just too many dull games and very low- scoring matches. Watched with my grandson the Belgium game. He has no Irish connections yet so he wanted the Belgians to win because he knows their players. And when he awakes tomorrow he will be very upset that Ronaldo ( who he adores) missed a penalty and behaved like a self- regarding prat.( which he assuredly is)
The other sport is much better. England’s great win in Australia and Murray marching on at Queens, lots of other great rugby and cricket getting into its stride.
England will be back in action on Monday and shoukd they win get a third- placed team in the last 16. What’s the betting its Portugal?
Evening TTG 🙂
You are impressively catholic in your sporting tastes Guvna. Your description of England’s win in Australia makes even an agnostic when it comes to the egg-shaped ball like me wish I had seen it. I haven’t seen anything of Italy’s games but the goals but I have a feeling in my waters that the Azzuri will carry off the silverware.
Evening bath, it was two hungry packs seeking alpha status and resorting to all manner of physical effort to end up on top. It was England’s day today. I would recommend watching next week in Sydney. The Aussies will give everything to prevent the shame of the whitewash.
I, on the other hand, have watched none of the above and have spent pretty much two of the last three days asleep.
I hate summer.
no. 5
a man of our times !
Self portrait, cba.
http://historicalsewing.com/wp-content/uploads/Gentleman-in-ladys-hat.jpg
And as if summer ain’t depressing enough
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-planning-arsene-wenger-contract-8223944
awww baff
can i apologize for the Scottish jibes
i have a chunk of relations in Scotland
weejies ?
but
in my see through defence
despite your country being named after us
the only scottish accents i heard growing up
belonged to people bussed over
to remind me that i was yeah blaaaa
accompanied by drum beats
dunno if the sectarianism stretched to Aberdeen
i was in Aberdeen once
seagulls the size of flying shitting caravans
never took to a hat , cynic
had a wee dance earlier on in the big kitchen
herself said you like hot chocolate
they were on the radio
she bought me tesco hot chocolate last night
it was tea i was drinking
pick something outta that
anyfuckinhoo
ARSENAL !!!
if ye knew my real name
i wouldn’t have to placate you nutcases
.
.
.
cba Pires
peace
out !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
ooops
?
chic on BBC 4
just now
met Nile Rodgers
made a charlie of meself
met Pete Shelley
made a charlie of meself
yeah i know
hard to believe
FUCK OFF
i’m cuttin’ down
sting is on now
what a turd
good evening
‘For Fuch’s Sake’ would have been perfect, ‘holic. I was reminded of Sir Vivian Fuchs who made history in 1958 leading the first crossing of Antarctica via the South Pole. The Daily Express reported his departure from Montevideo under the headline ‘Fuchs Off Again’.
Thanks again for your thoughts in the last round, cba. And for your general stream of consciousness which has me in fits when I can actually make sense of it. Where would we be without the peculiar perspicacity of your periphrastic peripeteia?
I think we should sign more Chilean players….
just a thought.
😀
More chile indeed BB! They just tonked Mexico in California (which means it was a Mexican home game). Alexis evidently wanted to celebrate his new Arsenal shirt number, so they notched 7 and a clean sheet, with the Energizer Bunny looking in 2014-15 form.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRG85zPboso
..at around the 2’55 into the video.. 😀 😀 😀
@Bayonne Jean
The Chileans simply do not stop running and pressing.. 😀
On another note , would be curious to see how Xhaka does when the swiss play the french later. See how he measures up to quality opposition.
Lastly…I hope we can get Morata!
Sunday, you say, ‘Holic
https://youtu.be/OU6EyXcFBxA
Morning all. Hope you fathers are being well and truly spoiled today.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-target-jamie-vardy-8229377
Righto.. guess that’s that then!
Morata or better…make it happen!
😀
Yep, the Vardy’s over!
Lots of options better than Vardy. This window has been promising let’s not get too glum, too early.
That’s Cynic’s job??!
TTG knows again (@24).
What’s Pogba doing the wheelbarrow in the middle of the pitch..
😀
Genius by the swiss using easily torn shirts… emphasize on all that shirt pulling!
Xhaka isn’t half bad it seems!
What are those shirts made out of, BB? Tissue paper?
@NBN
Some Recyclable Eco Friendly Disposable Made in EU Fabrique I bet… Ref is hard to convince though..awarded nothing for the two shredded jerseys.
I’ll wager we’ll have more torn shirts before the end of the match!
Am liking Xhaka already… maybe we should put in a bid for Pogba too.
😀
Wenger insists he will bring in a maximum of three players this summer. Xhaka is one ( and looks quality to me) , a striker is another clearly after the Vardy episode, so that leaves us one slot. I’d expect it to be a central defender so if it is we won’t be signing Mahrez( or Kante for that matter) It may be a utility defender who can provide some options and this wouldn’t preclude an investment in a younger defender like Holding. It’s also worth noting what he does with Bielik, Willock and Jeff next season. All look very exciting and he will also probably have Toral available as well. One hopes the major thrust is for a Lewandoski , Higuain or Aubayemang
I think the Swiss made the ball too….
They’re targeting Xhaka’s shirt…!
😀
Xhaka’s shirt had front and back vents. Don’t let the ladies see. 😉
I’d like to see the same fabric used in women’s football.
Football has become a very dirty business.
For the minority who don’t read arseblog on a daily basis, blogs linked to a story that explains the background to the protests by a subsection of the Croatian travelling support. It reveals an astonishing level of corruption in their FA and club game with exploitation of players including our own ex-player Eduardo. It’s very sad that another ex-player Davor Suker appears to be up to his neck in it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/4omrzm/an_explanation_to_rsoccer_about_why_did_croatian/
So who exactly was responsible for spoiling the Vardy? 😆
A work colleague of mine who was born in and supports Leicester told me that supporters were against the idea of bringing him to their club, who arrived their on police tag!
I know this sounds a little late in the day, but it just shows how willing I was to turn a blind eye to cuntiness, for the sake of a few goals!
it is ridiculous that wenger is being blamed for the vardy deal not going through. I mean how??? if at all there is truth that the release clause was activated, then that is what we can do right. Once done, put in the offer and then wait for the other party to react. We did the same. Now if the greatest striker on earth jamie vardy decides that he needs time to think on this offer, then he can take all the time he wants for we dont give a monkey’s ass to his thoughts.
After gathering his thoughts, he has decided not to take up the offer and that is fine, he may have his reasons. In all this, where is the question of rejecting the Arsenal, he is no one to reject, we have moved on, simple.
Euros and copa have been good, specially copa. Chile Argentina again likely to be the finals and cannot wait to see messi and co being stopped again by alexis and co. Euros has been more defensive but that is to be expected with good quality of defenders and lack of very good strikers. Xhaka looks a steal, composed and clam and always available. the question is who makes way, coquelin the most obvious choice.
Xhaka hopefully a Ramsey replacement.
As for Vardy, I am surprised we even went for him in the first place.
Coquelin is great at breaking up play but Xhaka appears to have the ability to link defense and attack very capably.
Tottenham sign Wanyama. Good for them. They haven’t had anything to smile about in over a month now.
Ramsey! Don’t write him off so soon.
England were dire. Nothing else to be said really.
Let’s hope Puma don’t manufacture condoms ?
England were awful tonight . It was hard to name a player playing at anything like the level we anticipate. Slovakia defended solidly but it was like watching Arsenal on a bad day at the Grove. The pace and rhythm of passing was funereal and the quality of final ball was abysmal. Wales and Slovakia thrashed a poor Russia side and we didn’t. We are where we deserve to be in the group . We haven’t got a player close to world class in this country.
In fact in this most turgid of competitions it is hard to identify anybody outstanding. Goals are extremely hard to come by and top strikers very few and far between. Defensive systems are so well drilled now that it is very hard to break them down unless you have a centre back who chooses to chest the ball back to his keeper with a striker just behind. It is no advert for football so far.
Joe Hart: “We are into the next round and nobody will want to play us…..”
——–
Really? Surely he jests. Famous last words it would seem….!
Let’s see who’s next then.
😀
TTG. Agreed that the Euros have been a letdown, not only England.
Copa America has been far more interesting from what I have been able to see.
At least Jack remains uninjured. Unsurprisingly, since he was lead drummer setting the funereal pace most of the time. Worse even than Lallana today, which is saying something. Hopefully just lack of fitness and playing time cos he just wasn’t himself.
Jack looked like someone who hasn’t managed to play the full 90 minutes of a game since Sept 13, 2014.
Exactly, Ned. I wasn’t dissing the lad, as he himself has said in the past it takes at least half a dozen games to get back to his best after injury.
Considering the length of his last sojorn in the physio room we may not see the best of Jack until Christmas!
*sojourn
Dier is the only spud to have impressed me at the Euros. The rest have been Dire. 🙂
Just watched the Wales / Russia higlights…Ramsey was on fire !!!
The goal was great and the pass for Bale on the third was sublime.
Genuinely pleased for him.
As for Ingerland…pffffffffffffffffffffffft.
Jack was bound to be rusty and the combination of high expectation (not least from himself), lack of fitness and stamina and lack of ‘match fitness’ was bound to show.
Ttg,
I genuinely think you (England fans) are being very hard on yourselves. I think England have played well so far and have dominated each of the 3 opening games. Ok, you may have lacked a little in finishing chances, but the reality is that its hard even for the very best teams to break down teams who put 11 men behind the ball. Germany, Spain and France have found it difficult to put away teams too, so I wouldn’t be too worried yet mate. I think the important thing was to qualify. And now that you have, I really wouldn’t be at all fearful of either Portugal, Iceland or even France in the quarters should you be successful in the next game. In some respects, I think the further you go in the competition, the more likely you’ll meet teams who will actually want to play some football, and this in some ironic way, will actually suit England more. Thats when the completion really begins, and England genuinely have the talent to go a long way.
Joe,
Thanks for your words of encouragement. I can’t divine any sort of plan from Hodgson but the tournament really starts in the knockout stage and let’s see what that brings. Certainly Portugal haven’t looked great so far .
I shall be flying back from Diblin when your lads take on Italy tomorrow. I wish you luck but it will be a tough ask to beat them.
Ttg,
Ireland are in a very different space to some of the leading teams. They did superbly well to even qualify for the Euros from a group that included Germany and Poland. We just don’t have the talent to go far, and even more shockingly, it would appear that there is very little coming through the ranks either. England have, in this competition alone, blooded Alli, Rashford and Dier and also introduced other players like Clyne, Smalling, Stones, Walker etc. So as I say, England have a strong panel comparative to other teams. And I think they’ve played much better than they’ve been given credit for dominating all of their 3 games so far.
In fairness to Hodgson, he has given many of the players an opportunity to shine and in competitions like these, its very often the lessor lights that end up becoming heroes. Consider for example the French: Payet didn’t make the last WC squad but alongside Koscielny and Kante so far in this competition, they have provided the strength and character so often missing with the French in the past. In this context, I don’t blame Hodgson for chopping things up a little.
Watching a great ODI rather than the football. I’m suffering Euroitis
i hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. note that i am stunned not to read thorough discussions about brexit/not, though perhaps the lack thereof shows even more the quality of the (non)participants here at the bar.
here’s something for the rosicky fans among us:
http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2016/6/20/farewell-rosicky-the-mozart-of-n7
thanks for everything, tomas.
..and N.Ireland qualify!
Croatia amazing discipline… wonder if Modric will be back for the next round.
Joe, thank you. 🙂
Now, can we get the Republic through as well? Please let it be. Croatia injected some life into the tournament tonight. Let’s hope from here on in it is a wonderful tournament.
Yann Songo’o has moved from Blackburn to Plymouth.
Could this be the latest alias of Yaya Sanogo?
northern ireland shirt
means yer a prod
republic of ireland shirt
means yer a taig
nope
sorta kinda
not really
.
the “problem” from my perspective
it’s trivializing to say it
but it’s like someone
moving into yer house
and down the line , saying
“I have been here for ages”
“It’s my house now”
“I don’t like the look of you”
“Would ye ever fuck away off”
.
.
anyhoo
and
i’m sure fellas out for a jar
in either shade of green
will get their head caved in
for the same reasons
sorry state of affairs
.
this euro vote thing is interesting
cos
members of the unionist community
mostly the democratic unionist party
want to leave
which is interesting
cos in my mind
their desired outcome
of a re-establishment of borders between
the north of ireland
and the south
would be far too expensive
and it would be financially and realistically more obvious
that a border check
over the water
from the north to britain and vice versa
would be top of the old conservatives calendar
and showing a passport to travel
from the north of ireland to britain
would cause bloods to boil
again
not for me
i’ll chuckle
mind you
if i cross the “border”
from donegal through derry
my wee tablet posts a message
that it’s changed timezones to british summer time
.
UP THE ARSE !
mind you
fuck off
bollocks what do i know
.
tore into a demijohn of cider
me i’m beside ok
she’s slithered up the stairs
kenny rogers never sung so
badly
.
.
in
.
.
stages
?
i’m sure m’lud
has experienced that
strange
but
i kinda like it
.
the time zone thing !
not my mrs
dragging herself up the stairs
shitey country stars splargin from her chops l
although having said that
i’ll keep a bead on you thunder T
.
the man’s a fuckin ladykiller !
before i forget
cheers chris
lotta p’s in yer prose
cheers
i’m guessing it was lovely
and/or/not ?
of course it was
i’m adorable
anyhoo
all hail here
all hail max
and
drunkenness has 3ns and 2ss
Just think how happy we will be when all these elections are over.
Assuming we made the right elections, of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Dq9usJA6U
bt8
as yer shortened moniker
fallummps towards
being a belfast postcode
elections are important
but unlike the choice of
yer two clowns
i always knew who and why i voted for
who i voted for
possibilities can be written
on the back of a postage stamp
with a big thick marker
as far as I am concerned
.
that was two spaces and a full stop
G’day to you cba.
The problem you describe in #59 reminds me of the word ‘posessionlessness’ which has the most ‘s’s of any word in the English language. In fact possessionlessness possesses more ‘s’s than a snake. So you see it’s not just ‘n’s that I like. ‘c’, ‘b’ and ‘a’ are other favourites of mine.
… I also have a peculiar fondness for ‘Q’.
…and Y.
..and OO
here we go
without the aid of a safety net
yup
no mention of Loughinisland
i’m amazed
last to a long list
uniforms off /balaclavas on
.
.
it’s always said
you should be able to go out
watch a gave of football
and arrive safely home
unmurdered
no ?
.
.
.
terrace daisies are battering each other
over mickey mouse fuck all
long may it continue
fuckin spanners
up it
so we can be rid of the lacoste twats
.
Cheerio for a while
and
sorry ‘hol
big fuckin lump of a man like meself
bletherin bout shite an fuck
that is neither
.
All the best
ahh howdy chris
top man
just saw ye
i was off on one there
but seriously
i am gonna take a wee while away from the internet
it is aggravating me
and
consequently
i
i’m sure am aggravating here
so
as i say
cheerio
and
enjoy yer September Singular Old Boy Convention
give max a weird look from me
gotta keep dogs on their toes
?
sláinte buddy
cba@66 our choice could be much better as you say
but Bernie emerged victorious in the Minnesota primary with my support
why the other states could not follow suit is the mystery to me
An even bigger mystery is how a nation claiming to lead the world can end up with Trump and Frump running off for the presidency, 8ball. Bernie should have been a shoo-in.
As I have said for years … If you have what it takes to become president of the United States you can’t be trusted with the job. Never truer than this year, Well, not since Bush jr won anyway.
You never said a truer word, Chris.
I hope the new pooch is settling in nicely. Another Schnauzer?
Looks like Moaninho really wants Mkhitaryan…!
Good thing Hummels turned them down.
😀
I still feel we lost the boat for not paying the extra few million quids for Higuaín. Now you have a one season wonder Vardy telling Arsenal to wait for his decision. Just quite unbelievable, how a 29 year old who plays for fucking Leicester ( yea they won the league) is taking his time to make a fucking decision. ARSENAL OR LEICESTER? really? that’s how bad we have become? I say we go back for Lacazette.
Would be interesting if Portugal was the next opponent… put Ronniedo in his place!
😀
@78 Yep, just like with the toothy boat, the Higuain boat has sailed!
We now appear to be reviewing the Lukaku boat and a whole host of boats I’ve never even heard of before!
😆
Unless we get Morata, Auba or Lewandowski… much rather we put someone unknown. Not too sure if anyone else is a marked improvement over Giroud.
If only Giroud can sustain his form over a whole season.. we probably won’t need anyone but with his inconsistencies and Welbeck out.. we had better have someone ready to fill in the position!
@ 81
Even if Giroud sustains his form ( highly unlikely) it would be suicidal to go to the new season without adding a striker.
Come on ICELAND!!!!
Watching Higuain batter the US last night with a couple cool finishes and making himself a general nuisance around the box – SAG I think you have a fine point.
I wouldn’t really mind if the Argies run out 4-0 IF, the US actually played football; managed to complete more than 2 passes in a row; actually maintained some shape; and, ya know … looked like they had actually played a game of football before last night. Shesh but that was hard to watch.
And Messi’s free kick was a real peach, no doubt.
But beating Brad Guzan isn’t exactly a miracle or an unstoppable ball, especially from 28 yards out! Guzan is about as athletic as my 13 year old nephew…and that is insulting to my nephew, really.
Homer
If you think Guzan is not athletic have you seen poor old Gabor Kiraly in goal for Hungary. Remember he used to play for Palace in a pair of remaindered jogging trousers from Milletts? Well he is still playing in them and is amazingly then best goalkeeper Hungary have got at 42. And the only other Hungarian you’ve ever heard of is Zoltan Gera who was shipped out of West Brom but still turns out for Hungary.
Seb Larsson is a regular for Sweden where he plays with Kim Kjallstrom our amazing loan acquisition in the window, still turning out in ‘ top’ international football. Slovakia had a couple of blokes playing on Monday who’d not made it in the EPL but was regulars for their country.
It really is amazing that we look so ordinary at such an ordinary tournament.
England vs Iceland it is!
Dodged a tricky one against Portugal……
😀
TTG – ha!
I saw the mighty KK the other day in Sweden v Italy.
Come on Ireland!
that would be the bradys of north london and ireland.
well done.
and i guess it would be correct to say there hasn’t been a brexit from the euro yet?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Looks like Xhaka won’t be doing PKs.
Hard luck; Swiss deserved a win.
I’m sorry but lukaku just doesn’t seem to be an intelligent player to me. definitely not one that would score 25-30 goals a season regularly.