The International Football Thread

[Special Juan 27,512]

Ze Germans

[Atholy 1,293]

Spread this video: the whole world should see what mutual respect is about!

Actually it's hard to believe there are not a lot of video's like this to be found. Respect Bosnia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdl6JvGjevM

[Fulham Broadway 16,966]

To be fair to the players, they did manage to calm things down between each other, it was the fans that messed things up.

Fair play to Kolarov, as well.

The players in the main kept a lid on it. Unlike in 1990. ....

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Spread this video: the whole world should see what mutual respect is about!

Actually it's hard to believe there are not a lot of video's like this to be found. Respect Bosnia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdl6JvGjevM

Was about to post it, just couldn't find on YouTube. Brilliant stuff from both sides, on and off the pitch.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

The players in the main kept a lid on it. Unlike in 1990. ....

Nothing I've not seen in a Beirut derby. There is a reason that stadiums in Lebanon are not allowed to have seats unless they cannot be removed

For the past few years here, football matches have been played without spectators and basketball matches only allow home fans "out of fear of civil war" as the police put it...

[Fulham Broadway 16,966]

Nothing I've not seen in a Beirut derby. There is a reason that stadiums in Lebanon are not allowed to have seats unless they cannot be removed

For the past few years here, football matches have been played without spectators and basketball matches only allow home fans "out of fear of civil war" as the police put it...

Really ? "Civil war" blimey -Yes but we're civilised in the West

Its incredible isnt it -two passions football +nationalism/religion against your rivals recipe for carnage. In a way its worse in South America as in the main the fans are only rioting over rivalry on the pitch !

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Really ? "Civil war" blimey -Yes but we're civilised in the West

Its incredible isnt it -two passions football +nationalism/religion against your rivals recipe for carnage. In a way its worse in South America as in the main the fans are only rioting over rivalry on the pitch !

Haha The hooligans! We only do it for blind religious/sectarian tribalism

[termninja 5,290]

Congratulations to Serbian u21 for beating Spain, it was a great game!

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

With all British and Irish teams looking to have good chances to qualify altogether, I once again wonder how amazing a Team UK would be. It would not only have enough talented players in every position to finally make the British challenge for Cup glory again. Also the unionizing effect this would have on the UK should be enormous as football is a passion all Brits share. Moreover it would provide all British countries a clean break from a struggling history. Esp england's players would not have to carry the weight of all the painful exits of 50 years. To from a BFA or so should not be a problem provided its elections are all democratic and transparent. Of course this is a long term project and it would take a few years to bridge the gaps between the cultures.

[Viper22 2,418]

With all British and Irish teams looking to have good chances to qualify altogether, I once again wonder how amazing a Team UK would be. It would not only have enough talented players in every position to finally make the British challenge for Cup glory again. Also the unionizing effect this would have on the UK should be enormous as football is a passion all Brits share. Moreover it would provide all British countries a clean break from a struggling history. Esp england's players would not have to carry the weight of all the painful exits of 50 years. To from a BFA or so should not be a problem provided its elections are all democratic and transparent. Of course this is a long term project and it would take a few years to bridge the gaps between the cultures.

We have enough problems with the English media ripping into English players and English managers. Would be even worse if you included Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh players too. And selection would be one hell of a headache; if it was an English manager of the British team who selected too many English players in the mind of Welsh and Scottish and Northern Irish fans then the fans and the media in those respective countries would turn on the team and the media/fan pressure would be even higher.

Will never happen, it's enough of a headache with the British and Irish Lions in rugby come selection time, and the Rugby fans and media are 100x more mature and unbiased than football fans and media.

[iseah100 5,612]

We have enough problems with the English media ripping into English players and English managers. Would be even worse if you included Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh players too. And selection would be one hell of a headache; if it was an English manager of the British team who selected too many English players in the mind of Welsh and Scottish and Northern Irish fans then the fans and the media in those respective countries would turn on the team and the media/fan pressure would be even higher.

Will never happen, it's enough of a headache with the British and Irish Lions in rugby come selection time, and the Rugby fans and media are 100x more mature and unbiased than football fans and media.

This this and this. Exactly what I was gonna say. Wales would have 1 player and the reast wouldn't have anyone. It wouldn't be fair.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

This this and this. Exactly what I was gonna say. Wales would have 1 player and the reast wouldn't have anyone. It wouldn't be fair.

If there were players in team just because they are british, it wouldnt be fair, but if they were simply better, than I dont see problem.

Is it unfair that average players like Richards, Cleverly etc dont make the cut in english nt? No, they are not good enough and they dont get picked. If certain northern ireland, wales or scottish players arent good enough to be picked, that is football, not unfair. However if manager is biased and picks players on nationality, then thats a problem indeed.

But like you said, it will never happen.

[Viper22 2,418]

If there were players in team just because they are british, it wouldnt be fair, but if they were simply better, than I dont see problem.

Is it unfair that average players like Richards, Cleverly etc dont make the cut in english nt? No, they are not good enough and they dont get picked. If certain northern ireland, wales or scottish players arent good enough to be picked, that is football, not unfair. However if manager is biased and picks players on nationality, then thats a problem indeed.

But like you said, it will never happen.

The British 23 now would look something like this in my opinion (assuming no injuries):

GK - Hart (England), Forster (England), Foster (England).

Defenders - Baines (England), Cahill (England), Clyne (England), Evans (N Ireland), Gibbs (England), Jones (England), Stones (England), Williams (Wales).

Midfielders - Bale (Wales), Barkley (England), Brunt (N Ireland), Henderson (England), Ledley (Wales), Oxlade-Chamberlain (England), Ramsey (Wales), Sterling (England), Wilshere (England).

Forwards - Rhodes (Scotland), Sturridge (England), Welbeck (England).

So 16 English, 4 Welsh, 2 N Irish and 1 Scottish. Don't think the N Irish and Scottish would be overly happy with that tbh. But I think all 3 of their players are generous anyway. Even if you chose on merit you'd get in fighting and arguing about which players SHOULD be in. And tbh you couldn't expect the Scots to support the British team if they only had 1 in the 23 could you?

You're right that being picked on merit is the best idea but I just don't think people would accept it, even if it was fair.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

The British 23 now would look something like this in my opinion (assuming no injuries):

GK - Hart (England), Forster (England), Foster (England).

Defenders - Baines (England), Cahill (England), Clyne (England), Evans (N Ireland), Gibbs (England), Jones (England), Stones (England), Williams (Wales).

Midfielders - Bale (Wales), Barkley (England), Brunt (N Ireland), Henderson (England), Ledley (Wales), Oxlade-Chamberlain (England), Ramsey (Wales), Sterling (England), Wilshere (England).

Forwards - Rhodes (Scotland), Sturridge (England), Welbeck (England).

So 16 English, 4 Welsh, 2 N Irish and 1 Scottish. Don't think the N Irish and Scottish would be overly happy with that tbh. But I think all 3 of their players are generous anyway. Even if you chose on merit you'd get in fighting and arguing about which players SHOULD be in. And tbh you couldn't expect the Scots to support the British team if they only had 1 in the 23 could you?

You're right that being picked on merit is the best idea but I just don't think people would accept it, even if it was fair.

Completely agree btw you forgot to include Rooney tha captain.

[Viper22 2,418]

Completely agree btw you forgot to include Rooney tha captain.

I said in my opinion. Rhodes, Sturridge and Welbeck are all better than him (is that even an opinion? Or just a fact?) so yeah, no fat boy. .

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I said in my opinion. Rhodes, Sturridge and Welbeck are all better than him (is that even an opinion? Or just a fact?) so yeah, no fat boy. .

Haha I see, thought you somehow forgot him While they might be better, there is no way he would be left out. If there is one player that wouldnt be dropped and even if he was complete shit, it would be Rooney.

[Viper22 2,418]

Haha I see, thought you somehow forgot him While they might be better, there is no way he would be left out. If there is one player that wouldnt be dropped and even if he was complete shit, it would be Rooney.

Unfortunately you're right. But that's one of the many problems with the England team as well as having an FA (and so a manager) with no backbone.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Sad news: http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/BafanaBafana/Bafana-keeper-Senzo-Meyiwa-shot-dead-20141026

RIP Senzo Meyiwa.