Croatia v England

[Nexstar]

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simunic, Robert Kovac, Corluka, Pranjic, Rakitic, Petric, Nico Kovac, Srna, Modric, Olic. Subs: Runje, Krizanac, Mandzukic, Pokrivac, Knezevic, Leko, Klasnic.

England: James, Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Lampard, Barry, Joe Cole, Rooney, Heskey. Subs: Robinson, Johnson, Beckham, Downing, Defoe, Upson, Jenas.

2-2

[Weston Super Saint]

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simunic, Robert Kovac, Corluka, Pranjic, Rakitic, Petric, Nico Kovac, Srna, Modric, Olic. Subs: Runje, Krizanac, Mandzukic, Pokrivac, Knezevic, Leko, Klasnic.

England: James, Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Lampard, Barry, Joe Cole, Rooney, Heskey. Subs: Robinson, Johnson, Beckham, Downing, Defoe, Upson, Jenas.

2-2

Has it finished?

[Saint Martini]

J.Cole on the left wing with Cashley behind him. That has never worked and will never work.

[Saint_clark]

No Gerrard? Is he injured?
Thank god he's seen sense and put Heskey and Cole in.

[Kev]

Some interweb links ...

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=18027&part=sports

Sopcast and TVU are both virus/other sh1te free.

[Neilza]

England will never move forwards with rooney and lampard playing imo. Lampard is as much use as Jermaine ever was and rooney is less lethal than BWP! But hey they'll probably win tonight, one game and we'll be world beaters again.

[Weston Super Saint]

highlights on news at ten on ITV1....

[Nexstar]

Good game so far, croatia looked deadly on the attack.

Shame walcott fumbled it in the box.

[Ponty]

Walcott 1-0

[Nexstar]

1-0 theo theo!

[Baj]

Ohh Theo, good strike!

[doughnutman]

1-0 England! walcott!!! Guess we don't get any money from that as we took an early payment...

[Baj]

1-0 England! walcott!!! Guess we don't get any money from that as we took an early payment...

Fairly certain there wouldn't have been a "£ for each goal scored for England" cause.

[Ponty]

Fairly certain there wouldn't have been a "£ for each goal scored for England" cause.

A quid a goal would've been a bit tight anyway.

[Weston Super Saint]

Fairly certain there wouldn't have been a "£ for each goal scored for England" cause.

£500k apparently :shock:

Crouch out!

[Baj]

A quid a goal would've been a bit tight anyway.
Would double our income for the week

[Baj]

£500k apparently :shock:

Crouch out!
Source?

[Weston Super Saint]

Would double our income for the week

Not with all those gnomes sold ;)

[Weston Super Saint]

Source?

www.dyathinkhemadeitup.com

[saintkiptanui]

You lot can thank me for this, I had £20 on Croatia halftime/fulltime at 7/2

I am a betting master class.

[Ponty]

You lot can thank me for this, I had £20 on Croatia halftime/fulltime at 7/2

I am a betting master class.
How are you not living in a cardboard box behind Tesco?

[Junction 9]

You lot can thank me for this, I had £20 on Croatia halftime/fulltime at 7/2

I am a betting master class.

:D..

[Weston Super Saint]

How are you not living in a cardboard box behind Tesco?

The Maggot must earn sh1tloads.

[Saint_clark]

Be interesting to see how the media will put negative spin on this should we win....

[saintkiptanui]

The Maggot must earn sh1tloads.She was until the credit crunchie, bonuses have dried up, might have to start a life of crime.

[Ponty]

She was until the credit crunchie, bonuses have dried up, might have to start a life of crime.

Or become a better gambler ffs.

[Weston Super Saint]

She was until the credit crunchie, bonuses have dried up, might have to start a life of crime.

Hope you make a better burglar than betterer....

[Nexstar]

Half-time 0-1 :)

[Johnny Shearer]

Is anyone watching? Is Walcott giving them a torrid time. Just heard on the radio he was absolutely clattered just now.

[saintkiptanui]

Or become a better gambler ffs.I had a horse come 2nd a 10/1 today and another an unlucky 3rd at 7/1 I had them in a double, if they had won I would be quids in but they didn't=P~

[Red Alert]

Is anyone watching? Is Walcott giving them a torrid time. Just heard on the radio he was absolutely clattered just now.

Not a torrid time no. The comentator was ripping into Theo seconds before his goal. Couple of good runs, no decent crosses. Playing quite deep tbf. And yeah I was clattered, scraped off the field. But is still playing.

[Johnny Shearer]

Not a torrid time no. The comentator was ripping into Theo seconds before his goal. Couple of good runs, no decent crosses. Playing quite deep tbf. And yeah I was clattered, scraped off the field. But is still playing.

Cheers, think I will Sopcast it up for the second half.

Shanghai GSports are playing it. Upside is Chinese commentary!

[sperm_john]

Not a torrid time no. The comentator was ripping into Theo seconds before his goal. Couple of good runs, no decent crosses. Playing quite deep tbf. And yeah I was clattered, scraped off the field. But is still playing.

thats gotta be a bit annoying ur sat watching tv and someone clatters you?..:p

[Red Alert]

thats gotta be a bit annoying ur sat watching tv and someone clatters you?..:p

Haha and I cant even edit it.... :-#

[Johnny Shearer]

Red card for Kovac! J Cole got clotheslined proper!

[Johnny Shearer]

Looks like the Croats are diving all over the place now to get free kicks and England players cards.

[Johnny Shearer]

Get in! 0-2! Walcott again!

[simo]

Walcott again 2 nil!

[Ajv2809]

3-0 Rooney!

[SaintSparky]

If this stays the same then this result has to go down as a bit of a shock; very funny.

[spain saint]

Good game, playing well!! 3-0 up and all is good!


Big up to the Spanish commentary!!
GGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! !!!!!:D

[spain saint]

3-1 now!

[Saint Matty 76]

3-1. :|

[spain saint]

Hatrick for Walcott!!!!

[Bexy]

Hattrick from Walcott!!!!!!!!!

[Joneth]

hatrick for theo!!! 4-1

[Red Alert]

Theo Hittrick. Well done lad. Frecking great stuff. Proud of the boy just now.

[spain saint]

Best I have seen Engerland play for years!

[saintwarwick]

Theo Hittrick. Well done lad. Frecking great stuff. Proud of the boy just now.

Yep well done Theo, did we cash in too early?

[simo]

Now who is going to own up to saying he wont develop into a great player?

[Kadeem Hardison]

Kip, did you bet on the world ending today?

[saintkiptanui]

Yeh, got even money.

[simo]

4-1 job done!

[Nexstar]

Closest score on the OS was 3-1, which was at 30/1.

[dubai_phil]

See KNEW we should have played him in the 06 World Cup from the start, muppets the lot of 'em.

[Ponty]

Shame we'll never see the goals.

[Saint Matty 76]

Redknapp : "I knew Theo was a talent, which is why I gave him his debut, he was always going to turn into a great player and I'm glad I was the one that started it all for him"

Back page tomorrow, anyone?

[Scummer]

Shame we'll never see the goals.

They are on the ITV news at 10.

[spain saint]

Ponty just check on youtube in about half an hour and they will be there!!

[Ponty]

Cheers guys.

[Saint_clark]

Again, how will the media put negative spin on this?
"Only four goals and one conceded V 10 men"?

[Saint_clark]

Redknapp : "I knew Theo was a talent, which is why I gave him his debut, he was always going to turn into a great player and I'm glad I was the one that started it all for him"

Back page tomorrow, anyone?

If he takes the credit for Walcott I will go up to sandbanks and burn his house down before smashing his f*cking face in.
I don't give a sh*t about going to prison, i'm fighting for a better cause.

[Hacienda]

That was damned impessive.

[Ponty]

Just seen them on 5 News. Nice goals by Theo.

[Andy_Porter]

J.Cole on the left wing with Cashley behind him. That has never worked and will never work.

Wait... What? have you never seen Chelsea play?

[Johnny Shearer]

Apparently Setanta will unscramble the channel for the highlights at half 11.

[Saint_clark]

Wait... What? have you never seen Chelsea play?

:lol:

[Bailey]

Best performance since we beat ze Germans 5-1.

Theo was outstanding, as was Heskey believe it or not.

I thought Capello got the tactics spot on too so full credit to him.

After today, what are the odds we stutter to a 1 nil win against Borat and his boys? :eek:

[Johnny Shearer]

If he takes the credit for Walcott I will go up to sandbanks and burn his house down before smashing his f*cking face in.
I don't give a sh*t about going to prison, i'm fighting for a better cause.

You just know bagc**t will be in the papers tomorrow saying it was all down to him that Walcott is playing now. :mad:

[Johnny Shearer]

Only one explanation for the 4-1 win in Croatia tonight, the Hadron Collider has completely altered reality and made england really good. God bless you scientists!!

[St Landrew]

Redknapp : "I knew Theo was a talent, which is why I gave him his debut, he was always going to turn into a great player and I'm glad I was the one that started it all for him"

Back page tomorrow, anyone?

That takes the f**king biscuit. What a load of utter bull. So I suppose George Burley is a wonderman for giving Gareth Bale his debut too..?

Redknapp gave Theo his debut because even a blind man could see he had pace and skill, and Saints were absolutely desperate. It has nothing to do with Redknapp's obvious high opinion of his own perception.

[Saint Martini]

A great night for England is capped off as Walcott is replaced on 85 minutes by Beckham, who finally wins his 100th international cap


I thought he got that quite some time ago??

[Hacienda]

I thought he got that quite some time ago??

He did, this was his 105th. He is on 99 starts.

[team-saint]

dennis rofe on 5 live now

[Hatch]

Stupid BBC ****s.

they only employ lesbians and retards

[Saint_clark]

Stupid BBC ****s.

they only employ lesbians and retards

Rule 1.

[Thedelldays]

If he takes the credit for Walcott I will go up to sandbanks and burn his house down before smashing his f*cking face in.
I don't give a sh*t about going to prison, i'm fighting for a better cause.
but he did give theo his debut...he did not have to...

[stevegrant]

Why the **** couldn't England play like that when I went to Croatia away?! :x

[dubai_phil]

Why the **** couldn't England play like that when I went to Croatia away?! :x

Well, they did when I went to see them in Lisbon '04.....

On an expenses paid corporate freebie as well....

HTH
:-)

[saints_is_the_south]

Bloody brilliant. Haven't enjoyed watching England play so much in a very long time. Even when it was 11 v 11 we were in control IMO & then to put them to the sword when they went down to 10 was great, it would have been easy for us to sit back & not push on.

Couldn't really fault one player tonight, not even Lampard! Heskey was super & perhaps what we have been missing. Rooney turned up for a change and i needn't comment on Theo's performance!

[Saint_clark]

but he did give theo his debut...he did not have to...

But that does not mean he made him the talent he is today.

[Saint Martini]

Good to see the English press keeping their feet on the ground after ONE good match....

[Hatch]

Couldn't really fault one player tonight, not even Lampard! Heskey was super & perhaps what we have been missing. Rooney turned up for a change and i needn't comment on Theo's performance!


Tally Ho!, pass the ginger beer.

;)

[stevegrant]

Good to see the English press keeping their feet on the ground after ONE good match....
Not at all predictable, was it? :lol:

[Thedelldays]

But that does not mean he made him the talent he is today.
does he actually claim that..?

[stevegrant]

does he actually claim that..?
He probably stops just short of actually saying that, although he's always banged on about how he gave Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand their debuts at West Ham as some sort of sign that he a) cares about young players and b) developed their talent before unleashing them on the unsuspecting Premier League, when in actual fact they were nurtured by the West Ham academy and selected for the first team because they were far better than anyone else Redknapp had at his disposal. If any other manager had been West Ham manager at the time, they'd have done exactly the same thing. Redknapp was just lucky that he was in the hotseat at the time.

[Saint Martini]

Not at all predictable, was it? :lol:

Not really, this BBC headline was a bit surprising.


Scots blast critics in Iceland

Now, correct me if I'm wrong. But didn't they just manage to beat Iceland with a narrow 2-1 victory? How that equates to blasting critics I do not know.

[Thedelldays]

anyway...my thoughts on the game..

It was a great game with great performances...

Capello clearly knows what he is doing and after the pretty even start and theo finding his feet they were scared stiff..

The high tempo, pressing game is what we are good at in this country and seeing the national team FINALLY do it was such a joy to watch...

as the game went on (and the goals went in) the confidence just oozed out of the players..and the way we kept the ball at times in the second half was supreme....

What I lilke about Capello is that HE will pick the team HE thinks will win, not the "names" so to speak...

who would have brought Jenas on for Cole..? I was puzzled when he did it but it came pretty clear as Jenas has high energy to constantly pile on the presure and keep Corluka at RB and not let him forward..

it shows Lampard CAN play well.
Theo is not really a winger but a right sided forward and seems a brilliant one at that....when he got going he was unstoppable at times..
Rooney (who I have been very critical) was brilliant and HAS to play with a Heskey and Walcott as it allowed him to come deep and get the ball..

MoM - THEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOO

[equalizer]

Not really, this BBC headline was a bit surprising.



Now, correct me if I'm wrong. But didn't they just manage to beat Iceland with a narrow 2-1 victory? How that equates to blasting critics I do not know.

C'mon with Scotland's record if they beat anyone by one goal its a thrashing!!
:D

[Andy_Porter]

Why the **** couldn't England play like that when I went to Croatia away?! :x

Well that's obvious.

http://www.fustar.info/wp-content/images/mclaren.jpg + 3-5-2

vs

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_03/075capelloDM_468x677.jpg + probably the most balanced England side i've seen.

[Andy_Porter]

Shame we'll never see the goals.

?????

They where free to air on Setanta for anyone on freeview or sky. I also saw the Scotland - Iceland goals on there for free.

[Andy_Porter]

Not really, this BBC headline was a bit surprising.



Now, correct me if I'm wrong. But didn't they just manage to beat Iceland with a narrow 2-1 victory? How that equates to blasting critics I do not know.

A 2-1 win away at Iceland is always going to be a good result, they where 2-0 up and cruising until some burk decided to hand ball it in the area.


Not that I want to defend Burley or anything.

[Andy_Porter]

it shows Lampard CAN play well.
Theo is not really a winger but a right sided forward and seems a brilliant one at that....when he got going he was unstoppable at times..
Rooney (who I have been very critical) was brilliant and HAS to play with a Heskey and Walcott as it allowed him to come deep and get the ball..



Spot on really, Capello got his tactics perfect for the game.

Joe Cole playing through the middle to give Ashley Cole space to run into, Walcott holding a really high line to support Heskey and Rooney dropping deep to support the midfield.

I though Lampard was great at what he done, just sat infront of the back four and bursting forward and Rooney probably put in his best performance since 2004 and that was nearly all after the red card.

I just hope we can keep a similar balance in future games and the match going England fans don't turn on Lampard, Rooney, the others when we're not winning by a massive margin at half time. Doing it over a period of time is what's important. . .

[Thedelldays]

Spot on really, Capello got his tactics perfect for the game.

Joe Cole playing through the middle to give Ashley Cole space to run into, Walcott holding a really high line to support Heskey and Rooney dropping deep to support the midfield.

I though Lampard was great at what he done, just sat infront of the back four and bursting forward and Rooney probably put in his best performance since 2004 and that was nearly all after the red card.

I just hope we can keep a similar balance in future games and the match going England fans don't turn on Lampard, Rooney, the others when we're not winning by a massive margin at half time. Doing it over a period of time is what's important. . .


indeed...also, I believe Capello would pick a team to win a game..if that means changing a couple of players then so be it...not just keeping the same players in for the sake of it...the movement upfront was superb...when Theo found himself in the middle you would look and see (mostly) rooney and at times hesky, pulling out wide in theo's position....but the big thing for me was what you said, Heskey and the fact Theo was more of a right forward allowed rooney to drop off AND THAT is his game and it worked a treat.....I just does my nut him when we try and play rooney with owen or defoe...it never really happens for him

I actually felt a tad gutted for lampard as that goal got disallowed, the look on his face told a story...the way he broke into the bax, went past players before the one-two was what we wanted to see...

but like I said...High energy, high(ish) tempo and a bit "in your face" are what we are bloody good at and it worked...Croatia have never lost a home compititve international (about 14 years or so) and they simply could not cope...

THAT has to be the way forward for us...

[mack rill]

A 2-1 win away at Iceland is always going to be a good result, they where 2-0 up and cruising until some burk decided to hand ball it in the area.


Not that I want to defend Burley or anything.

I watched the game and the sweaty Jocks were getting well hammered, In fact you could say Iceland sort of manèged to snatch a defeat from the jaws of victory....P45 for Burley in 3 games, Nailed on bet;)

[Hacienda]

England fans don't turn on Lampard, Rooney, the others when we're not winning by a massive margin at half time. Doing it over a period of time is what's important. . .

It's not the score it's the shocking lack of heart that they've shown.

That's why Becks is still loved by the travelling hoardes, because he understands and he cares.

[Ponty]

It's not the score it's the shocking lack of heart that they've shown.

That's why Becks is still loved by the travelling hoardes, because he understands and he cares.

That's what annoys me when people moan about Beckham and say he's all about the money. I can recall several moments during England games when he was clearly the only one who did care about the game and not just about picking up his paycheck.

[Andy_Porter]

Of all the things to moan about with Rooney you can never say he doesn't try. He tries too hard most of the time, running around all over the shop when he should just be holding his position.

[Hacienda]

That's what annoys me when people moan about Beckham and say he's all about the money. I can recall several moments during England games when he was clearly the only one who did care about the game and not just about picking up his paycheck.

I'll never forget the Greece game at OT where he dragged England to the finals on his own.

It's very rare to hear those who go to games slag him down. Yes his legs have gone but he's always given 100% when other midfield pretenders have merely crumbled at international level.

[Thedelldays]

That's what annoys me when people moan about Beckham and say he's all about the money. I can recall several moments during England games when he was clearly the only one who did care about the game and not just about picking up his paycheck.
he clearly cares....he has always maintained that it is and always will be his dream to be involved with england..

he is/has been one of, if not the biggest name/star on the planet...bigger player than anyone else for england for a generation and he does not moan when he gets dropped, happy to be part of the squad and take his place on the bench

the stick becks has had over the years, the way he got treated my mclaren and the fact he is not a starter anymore has not detered him from his love of the national team

others have quit but he wants to be there..

The day Becks quits the team will be a sad day

He is a proper Lenged IMO and one of the best pro's for kids to look up to considering the media that follows him every where he goes..

[Hacienda]

Of all the things to moan about with Rooney you can never say he doesn't try. He tries too hard most of the time, running around all over the shop when he should just be holding his position.

I'd not argue with that.

[team-saint]

he clearly cares....he has always maintained that it is and always will be his dream to be involved with england..

he is/has been one of, if not the biggest name/star on the planet...bigger player than anyone else for england for a generation and he does not moan when he gets dropped, happy to be part of the squad and take his place on the bench

the stick becks has had over the years, the way he got treated my mclaren and the fact he is not a starter anymore has not detered him from his love of the national team

others have quit but he wants to be there..

The day Becks quits the team will be a sad day

He is a proper Lenged IMO and one of the best pro's for kids to look up to considering the media that follows him every where he goes..


agree completely, looked delighted for theo as well. hopefully theo will push bentley onto the sidelines

[This Charming Man]

I can't be arsed to read through this thread but what a night that was. Cracking atmosphere from both sets of fans. The nearer the game got the more hostile the Croats got in the city centre, it's what football should be about - hardly any women or kids, all lads on the lash. Our tram ride to the ground was slightly eventful to say the least...

As for the game, for me it's up there as being one of the best games I've ever attended as a football fan - only the Cup Semi Final and beating the Skates come above that. When the 3rd went in, our end went mental, I thought I was going to pass out I celebrated so hard.

The walk back from the ground into the city centre was a laugh, with bar loads of Croats chanting IRA songs - we kept our mouths shut and heads down and we were fine. I was in a group of about 30 all day and we were fine, though heard people in smaller groups were attacked. The only time we had any trouble was on the tram when our group got split.

All in all, what a week - a week long bender across Europe starting in Barca and taking in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany plus 6 points - role on Belarus and Germany.

[Thedelldays]

I can't be arsed to read through this thread but what a night that was. Cracking atmosphere from both sets of fans. The nearer the game got the more hostile the Croats got in the city centre, it's what football should be about - hardly any women or kids, all lads on the lash. Our tram ride to the ground was slightly eventful to say the least...

As for the game, for me it's up there as being one of the best games I've ever attended as a football fan - only the Cup Semi Final and beating the Skates come above that. When the 3rd went in, our end went mental, I thought I was going to pass out I celebrated so hard.

The walk back from the ground into the city centre was a laugh, with bar loads of Croats chanting IRA songs - we kept our mouths shut and heads down and we were fine. I was in a group of about 30 all day and we were fine, though heard people in smaller groups were attacked. The only time we had any trouble was on the tram when our group got split.

All in all, what a week - a week long bender across Europe starting in Barca and taking in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany plus 6 points - role on Belarus and Germany.

I would love to follow england like that...how do you go about doing so...tickets, accoms, travel etc..

[stevegrant]

I would love to follow england like that...how do you go about doing so...tickets, accoms, travel etc..
In order to legally get tickets for England away games (i.e. from the FA and not from touts), you'll need to be a member of englandfans+, which costs about £70 for two years. In order to guarantee yourself tickets for games, you'll have to have built up loads of "caps" by going to previous games. If you're not guaranteed a ticket, you'll be in a ballot, although most games at the moment don't seem to be needing one due to the massive drop in demand in the last year or so.

Of course, you should be able to get tickets on the black market, but generally it's more hassle than it's worth, particularly with often-harsher punishments on the continent than in the UK for that sort of thing.

The best-value accommodation and flights are booked up months in advance. Basically as soon as you know when a game is taking place and in which city, you will need to have booked up within 12 hours of the announcement to get the best deal. Some companies run package deals, but a lot of those are the England equivalent of the Saints travel club.

[saints_is_the_south]

I would love to follow england like that...how do you go about doing so...tickets, accoms, travel etc..

+1. On my list of things to do before a die, a week on the continent on the lash watching football. Perfect.

Another one to do is a world cup or european championship fo sho.

[Barney Trubble]

I would love to follow england like that...how do you go about doing so...tickets, accoms, travel etc..

Just join the Englandfans+, I was up to 25 caps but gave up after we failed to qualify for the euros and never renewed as I can't be arsed with it anymore. I would advise you to join though if you are serious, it costs a lot of money but if you get to see some good away games then it 'll be worth it. I had a few weeks in Portgual for Euro2004, great memories and planned to have a month for this summers but McClown ****ed that up. However, football changes and so does life and I can't prioritise football anymore. You'll definitely get tickets for the home friendly games and probably for some of the qualifiers. Just build them up bit by bit and then you'll have enough caps to get tickets for the away games, which are usually difficult. Accommodation and flights I booked over the net and didnt go with the official packages that they offer as they are a rip off. You can get flights for next to nothing if you're prepared to country hop a bit and have the time free to **** about with that.

[This Charming Man]

I would love to follow england like that...how do you go about doing so...tickets, accoms, travel etc..

As stated above - join EnglandFans +. If you were to do it now, you could still probably get a ticket for Belarus (though would cost a bomb in getting there now) and Germany.

There are rumours doing the rounds of either Belgium or Italy away in Feb as well.