Yes, it even had an old cynic like me excited about the prospect of a World Cup Final for England; and that from someone who stopped watching England games 20 odd years ago. But, as has been mentioned, it is a young squad and a young manager with a new approach so hopefully exciting times ahead….perhaps. I don't agree with the calls going out for Southgate to be knighted, when you consider the fact that he hasn't won anything yet, a bit premature me thinks.
A good effort all round and they should be rightly proud of their achievement. To be honest tho I'd rather go out in the semi to the Croatians than fail at the last hurdle to Johnny Frenchman; oh how we would have had our noses rubbed in it.
I have been very taken with Gareth Southgate. He comes across as a thoroughly decent chap. I know that isn’t a prerequisite of a successful manager (remembering what Brian Clough said of Ron Greenwood’s appointment), but it is refreshing to be able to relate to the manager (as we can with Paul Warne).
He has even managed to rekindle my interest in the England team. The focus has been on a team of young players playing for their country and not a bunch of individual millionaires ticking off a personal experience. Considering the vast gap between ourselves and these individuals that is no mean feat.
For those who are interested I would recommend a short do***entary on BBC iPlayer, ”The World Cup: heroes of ‘66”. It shows what happened to some of the England team later in life. It is remarkable in contrast how small the gap was between us and them.
The best World Cup finals tournament in my lifetime, only 1 0-0 draw, bags of goals & excitement, England having a decent showing, the emergence o9f a new global superstar ( Mbeppe), all in all an amazing competition
Third place game Saturday, 14th July 2018, 3.00 p.m. Belgium v England.
Depends if Serena his playing in the ladies final at Wimbledon. You don't get to see world class sports people many times. I'll be tuned to SW19
Serena his playing? I've been corrected many times by various people that Serena is totally female. I doubted it for many years. Now you've got me thinking again. By the way Serena got beat by a woman in the Final. There's more balls in tennis than you'd think.
