Match Day Thread England v Croatia 13/06/21 14:00 BBC

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So here we go, the talking is done and it's time for the rollercoaster to begin. We've got a sport which needs bringing home. Getting one over the side who broke our hearts 3 years ago will be a great way to start the tournament and lift the mood of the nation going into the game against the auld enemy.

Limited crowds to begin with but I'm sure they'll increase as it goes on and it'll sound near enough full anyway. Let's make the home advantage count!

Not got a lot to say here really, but how about some videos to get the blood pumping.


Loving this video compilation (Goosebumps at the Dier pen!)

Which nicely follows on to the below, surely the greatest England moment this century?

Ian Wright Wright Wright...

Where on Earth are you from? We're from ING-ERLAND

Best rendition of a national anthem ever - Gareth only one you can hear above the crowd - could maybe even re-create it in 4 weeks time..

This deserves another showing and I refuse to justify why

And last but not least, looking back on when we first met

Anyway, we'll ****ing smash 'em!

 

It's coming home

 

Watched every video twice now. Still goosebumps.

It's only coming home!

 

I hate to be negative but this ones on my birthday so we have no chance.

 

Don’t make me start believing ffs.

No more years of hurt? Only if I don’t care in the first place. So I will adopt an air of detached cynicism, at least until next weekend.

I still bear the scars of Mexico in 1970 btw. Italia 90 is still raw. Euro 96 hasn’t stopped hurting. France 98 is a wound that won’t heal.

Croatia in Russia still stings, but mostly for the look on the face of my mate’s then 9 year old son, who was the same age as me when Alf Ramsey took Bobby Charlton off against West Germany that time…

 

Ian Wright should be England manager.

Come on England, a nice comfortable confidence-building win against Croatia please.

 

I think he's got more sense, can you imagine the level of abuse?

Oh and a 3-0 win with style would do nicely thanks.

 

Love Wrighty

Satire?

Was this the last time we beat a big team with style?

 

Winning 3-2 in Spain, having raced to a 3-0 first half lead - in 2018 - was an impressive result. But yeah, we are seriously lacking in famous wins against decent oppo.

 

For some balance

 

It isn’t coming home this time around, good warm up for next years World Cup though.

Hope Southgate can surprise me, but the squad selection has wiped my excitement for this... for now.

 

Magic, the balance you have alluded to consists (on my screen, anyway) of a message saying:

"Video unavailable
This video contains content from FIFA, who has blocked it from display on this website or application.
Watch on YouTube"

This is either unfortunate, as the licensing issues prevent the footage being shown, other than on YouTube, or the gods have spoken, and they will not allow anything to stop England being seen as unbeatable. I'm going with the second option.

 

You may have noticed me trying and failing to fix it then, it’s not having any of it.

 

Use the watch on youtube option no problem.

 

Oh absolutely, it’s just annoying when people block their clips from being embedded.

 

I wish I had a quid for every time Luke Shaw said "you know" on his recent England Press interview!

 

wonder if those who let Mings and White go at Southampton will see error of their ways.

 

That happens with all clubs, in fairness. There's plenty of stories of ones that got away.

I suspect that those that let Mings and White go at Southampton aren't at Southampton themselves any longer, anyhow.

 

One of my favourite all time commentary moments in that match:

"Owen's through again for England, what a chance for the hat trick here, Owen! Ohhhh this is getting better, and better, and better!"

God bless Motty. The goat of commentators.

 

Was my 32nd Birthday. I'm sure when Owen was running away celebrating his hat trick he was mouthing something. It was "Happy Birthday Mark!"

Well that is my story