Tonight, England departed The World Cup Tournament in Qatar. France beat us by two goals to one and in football-speak I now feel "gutted" and "as sick as a parrot". We lost at the quarter final stage. On a different night and with different luck, we could have come out on top. It wasn't that France were so much better than us. Our captain - Harry Kane - scored one penalty and skied another. He is normally so very reliable but not tonight when we needed him the most. Oh woe is me! Woe is England! Woe! Woe! Woe!
Back in the summer of 1966, I followed The World Cup religiously. I had sticker books, a wall chart and knew every player who would be playing. I was only twelve years old and my brain had room for lots of football stuff. That year England famously went all the way to the final where we beat West Germany by four goals to two and lifted the golden Jules Rimet trophy.
What a summer that was! Bobby Moore lifted on his teammates shoulders, toothless Nobby Stiles dancing a merry jig and Kenneth Wostenholme commentating, "They think it's all over!...It is now!" as the fourth goal went in.
Since that day, 30th July 1966, disappointment has followed England's men's team like a curse. So many nearlys, false dawns and might-have-beens. Promising so much and coming home empty-handed.
I suppose our lads have had a good tournament . They gave their all and came together as a squad. There's no doubt we have some very gifted players but it's not the same as winning the trophy is it? That is what England really wanted and needed right now - more than ever - yet the final prize has eluded us once more.
I shall climb up the stairs after midnight feeling as miserable as sin and no doubt that mood of disappointment will remain with me for a few more days. Somehow it's more than "just football". It's part of our national psyche and how we see our ourselves. Once again - football is not coming home after all.
If you think you feel bad, think how the fans of Brazil and Portugal feel tonight!
ReplyDeleteBut they have won things and besides football was invented in England.
DeleteThere's always hope for next year.
ReplyDeleteThere are four year gaps between tournaments.
DeletePLENTY of time to get your hopes up.
DeleteKane oh Kane, you haven't been practicing. In the net not over it. Dear oh dear!
ReplyDeleteA lot of pressure on the lad. All those millions watching. All that weight of expectation.
Delete1966!!! Wow. May as well give up trying. You may have a better chance in Eurovision.
ReplyDeleteI hope we win it again before I die... and I am not talking about bloody Eurovision!
DeleteI wonder what Jennifer's Marco would have to say about being "sick as a parrot". Anyway, you say "That is what England really wanted and needed right now - more than ever". Which country wouldn't say that about themselves right now. And yet, someone WILL win this tournament, and Morrocco have written history for all of Africa.
ReplyDeleteI think of England needing it right now because of the Brexit disaster we have brought upon ourselves. It is wonderful to see Morocco in the semi-finals playing their colonial masters. The Moroccans play a refreshing style of football.
DeletePS: Was it Morrocco? I am not actually following, but can not completely avoid news from Qatar these days.
ReplyDeleteYes... Morocco.
DeleteAs a non footballing person all I can say is don't be so dramatic - it's only a game for goodness sake!
ReplyDeleteAs Bill Shankly said, "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
DeleteHe overshot the goal, so close and yet so far away.
ReplyDeleteAt the last moment, when he saw the French goalkeeper diving that way, he probably lifted the ball more than he had intended.
DeleteOh dear, chin up, there's always next time.
ReplyDeleteThat's what Elizabeth Taylor said about her marriages.
DeleteDisappointment in the managers selection, players and officials not giving penalties. Same could be said for Portugal and Brazil over celebrating when they scored.
ReplyDeleteAt least the England/ France game was played in a sporting manner. The referee was very poor in my opinion.
DeleteClimbing the stairs at midnight, the broken man of Sheffield .....
ReplyDeleteHere in Scotland we feel for you, buddy.
*Aye, right.*
You need to hear a Glaswegian say *Aye, right* to get the utter lack of sympathy.
I am well aware of the weeping and heartache that must have swept through the pubs and living rooms of darkest Glasgow last evening. Wee McSturgeon may have even turned her endless looped tape off to shed a tear or two of her own.
DeleteAye, right.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who doesn't watch much sports and certainly not soccer, does England pick a team of the best players from their various teams or is it a unified team that always plays together normally?
ReplyDeleteI did watch the 5 second clip of the missed penalty kick that played on our evening news program so I guess I did watch a bit of soccer after all.
My daughter, the Princess, had to leave her home and go to the barn for a second visit to her Canadian horse as her Crown Prince of England (read: husband) was beside himself and yelling and cursing ........ anyway, they are both blaming the officials for not noticing more pushing and shoving and basically bad behavior from the French sports.
ReplyDelete