World Cup Semi-final - Croatia v England, Wed 11th July

Despite being English, born here, and lived here for all my life (well nearly, a former employer posted me to Swansea for 6 months), I have never been a supporter of England.

You can't expect me to hate Liverpool players, and dislike the players of various other teams for 11 months of the year, and then expect me to suddenly support them when the International matches come along.

However, as an Evertonian, I want Jordan Pickford to do well, and so I'm half supporting them. The ideal for me was the "Last 16" match, when Pickford saved the penalty to win it, after Jordan Henderson had missed his penalty (* Red * *).

I'll take an undeserved England win, where Pickford's miracle saves hold onto a 1-0 lead. Or a 4-3 loss on penalties, where Pick's makes a great penalty saves, but the 2 Red * in the squad miss.

 

It is a joke how the media has made it like this is some amazing achievement, even talking about a bus parade even if they lose to Croatia
They have not beaten one elite team and Croatia are not elite either. Croatia is their first test at this stage, but still it's a 50/50 game that I actually think England are better than Croatia I can see them getting to the final and getting destroyed by 3 goals against Belgium or France, but it won't matter it will be too late if they reach the final even if they lose we will still hear about it for the next 30 years or so. England is the only nation on earth that celebrates defeat like they have won the thing.

 

It's a feel good factor, why wouldn't the media get carried away? The sun is out, people are smiling etc etc. As for celebrating losing, that won't happen. BTW saying Croatia aren't a challenge is a stretch, we are a young inexperienced side, Croatia realistically should win.

 

Spain played * teams. Out. Germany * teams. Out. Still an achievement.

 

To me, it seems bizzarre that every single topic about an England game has so much interest. I dislike Serbia as much as England is disliked by Irishmen and some Scots, but I don't go looking what they did every day. Dislike should mean ignoring.

 

Italy 2006.

Had ghana, usa and the Czech republic in the groups. Australia in the last 16 and then Ukraine in the quarters.


Anyway that utterly average Sweden team that knocked Italy out the qualifiers, should have beat Germany, comfortably dismantled the impressive Mexico and then topped their group. At the end of the day Colombia and Sweden both topped their groups on Merit. Lets not forget that people were talking about how both sides were gonna knock England out, maybe England are just a good side who have been underestimated? Plenty of sides would have got knocked out to both of those teams.

 

You dont get almost all of your media from Serbia though.

 

What about switching to Irish media?

 

I watched French coverage while I was in Belgium

 

It's hard to ignore when it's in your face 24/7.

 

So Italy had a more difficult group. And both had knockout games they were expected to win. Right...

Oh and yes, Sweden are utterly average. Knocking out an abysmal Italy team doesn't change that. Nobody is saying Colombia and Sweden didn't top their groups on merit. They did. However they are also pretty ordinary teams. A quick look at their results sort of shows that...

Sweden lost to Bulgaria, Chile, Netherlands, and Romania in the last year. In that time they also had two goalless draws against Denmark and Peru.

Colombia have been beaten by Paraguay and drawn with Peru, Australia and Egypt in the last 10 months.

So, yeah...two great teams right enough.

 

The closer it gets to kick-off the more I get the feeling England are going to win. Mind you I have been able to predict * all right at this World Cup so hopefully that will continue.

 

There's varying rumors on Croatia's lineup for tomorrow, and I'm praying to * the latest one is correct. It'd mean we'll poison the midfield and set up to match the English physicality.

 

Kyle Walker is never a centre half, Croatia need to pressure him at all times.

UP THE CROATS.

 

And the back.
Kane v Lovren, klop Took him off after 30. Minutes at Wembley.