That final

Heartbroken.  We were so close.  I do not know if we are going to have a better chance to win a major trophy again.  England were by far the better team in the first half, but Italy deserved to equalise and I said that they would do so a few minutes before they did.  

However, I think that they should have finished with ten men.  The professional foul by Giorgio Chiellini on Bukayo Saka deserved a straight red card for dangerous play.

I love Italy, I love the Italian people.  I have always hated football there due to my view that there is too much cheating and cynicism, and I hate Italian football even more.  On the pitch, that act ruined a thrilling game.

It would have got a lot more coverage but for the stupid actions of racist morons after the penalties.  I hope those three players do not lose heart over the misses or the abuse.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Have taken Leia out for her walk today and have finished watching Godzilla: King of the Monsters.  Overall, it was a bad film and is not one that I would pay to watch.  As to if I would have been disappointed if I had paid to watch it, I am not sure.  The film was bad at points, terrible in others.  But once I remembered that this was a film set on an alternative Earth, where the rules we have do not apply, it became more bearable.  It had good special effects, but a predictable plot.  For its genre, it was an okay film.  Much better than some of the other terrible films that I have watched this year, but overall I would have to say, not even average in quality.

Anyway, I have to iron, mow the lawn and assemble some flat pack furniture before the final tonight.  I believe!  

Patriotism is more than saying you are patriotic

I was disgusted this morning.  I took Leia for a walk after she woke me up early in the day.  I was knackered, but following our amazing victory over Ukraine I was in high spirits.  I had intended to take her through the town centre to Castle Park and then to the duck pond that she loves so much.

But, there was so much broken glass about.  Issues of patriotism have been discussed before this match and was a topic on Any Questions.  I am sure all who talked about it would agree that patriotism is not getting drunk watching England and smashing up bottles on our streets afterwards.

An idiot sends abuse to a young girl seen crying on television when her team loses.  A patriot does not.

A patriot accepts that England has a team that reflects the multicultural nature of our nation, and does not seek to divide based on skin colour.  

I am hoping our fans behave better on Wednesday night, if we win or lose.

   

Is it coming home?

We won!!!

I never thought I would be happy beating Germany as I was in 2001 when we beat them by five goals to one.  Initially when it came to this tie, thought that we were doomed, but then I remembered to believe.

Of course, I am concerned about the next tie, especially as favourites in matches have lost so many games, but we have yet to concede a goal and our strike force may be back on form.