Saturday 4 June 2016

The ball is round.


The beer, the cheesy sticks, the tele remote at the ready. It's the last friendly match before the European Championship  in France. It's Austria at home. And the visitors are the Dutch. I can hardly wait.

Maybe football, or sport in general, can save the world. I think it's humankind's best chance. It succeeded in South Africa where the sport boycott by rugby and cricket players was the greatest force in fighting apartheid. Maybe, just maybe, sport can do it again. 

Sport between nations is mightier than any army. And nobody gets killed. Win or lose it's only a game. 

Result (for the record): Austria 0 - 2 Holland 

Peace be with you. 


  Here are some fans:














11 comments:

  1. The tribalism of football frightens me

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  2. I believe we're getting on top of it.

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  3. I am always pleased I don't live anywhere near a football ground as folk seem to get into such a frantic state. It is only a game - isn't it?

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    1. Try telling Bill Shankly it's only a game . . . But yes, you are right.

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  4. How on earth did Austria win their Group? Russian and Montenegro sounded an interesting fixture. I see Austria were tipped 2 days ago as one of the dark horses of the tournament.

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    1. Austria were the 10th best team team in the world in the list that was issued not all that long ago. Hard to believe, but the must have impressed whoever works out these things. They played as if they didn't want to get injured v Holland. Defense flat footed. Weakness in goal. He won't come off his line. He could have punched it clear, the cross for the first goal I mean. But stood rooted to the line instead of coming to meet the cross.

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  5. The images are very good. Where did you find them?

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    1. They're in Poysdorf which is in NE Austria about 20 kms from Czech Rep. There are some near the tourist info office and some in a wine tavern garden which was closed so couldn't get to look at those. I didn't touch them but I imagine they're made from some kind of resin.

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    2. Near what used to be Moravia.

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  6. Love the images. I think France will win it being the host nation like they did in 1998 when they won the world cup.

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    1. They may well do. Of course I may risk a fiver on Wales. Anything can happen.

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