# SDMB FOOTIE FOCUS: November **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2003, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133 "2003-11-03T11:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/121 "2003-11-17T15:48:03Z")
**L\_C** if you think Norway can qualify I think it’s better to bet on result, 1-0 is the only likely result that Norway qualifies with. But I stopped betting because I lost so YMMV. If you can you should see the highlights from the game. Not only to see Iversen score but to see the saves the Norwegian keeper made, he’s the first Norwegian player that I want Arsenal to buy since Bratseth. Norwegians have been praying for bad weather for wednesday but the weather looks good, some have suggested that the game should be moved to Tromsø. And we will get Colina for the second leg so we can’t blame the ref if we loose. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/122 "2003-11-17T15:56:06Z")
Having just learned England are off to sunny Stockholm for a friendly in March - and having el matey in residence - I must say my interest in Sven’s curio’s has risen greatly. He says to come in summer when the place is a wash with pertness, but a recon mission might be the order of the day . . . Could be tempted on the Norwegians . . . I now find myself preoccupied by the weather conditions in Oslo on Wednesday evening - need near zero temperatures to be happier, hopefully with icy rain . . . Spaniards obviously don’t like it up 'em. The Sheepshaggers are Evens, I believe (or were). I did here over the weekend something about Wales being the best supported home team (meaning attendence) in all Europe . . . how amusing! I would think that’s worth +1 on Wednesday . . . shame there’s no Bellamy, though. As for the sweaties, is there a more unpredictable team than the Dutch - I have no idea what kind of team the Scots will be up against . . . Ah, I see on preview **Barks’ dog food** is on top of the weather issue . . . I agree, very important ! ---
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/123 "2003-11-17T16:57:03Z")
I checked several sources and it seems that the temperature will not go below 0 on Wedneseday and no rain. Probarbly 2-4 degrees during the game. I watched Scottland-Netherlands on Saturday. The only thing that kept Netherlands from scoring was poor finishing and I don’t think they can hope for that again. I was also disapointed by how easily the Scottish players fell around and inside the box and all the Scots I met were too. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/124 "2003-11-17T17:45:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Barks’ dog food \* > I was also disapointed by how easily the Scottish players fell around and inside the box and all the Scots I met were too. I know, it was like Glasgow at closing time. Well, you might not think 2-4 degrees is much to write home about, but our friends from the Med might have other thoughts. I find 2-4 quite promising. Now, if we could just get a little wind, or rain or sleet I might be up for a punt . . . ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2003, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/125 "2003-11-19T12:11:01Z")
For the Irish correspondents (and anyone who watched the ROI v Canada last night):- Any comments on Lars Hirschfield (Canadian goalie)? He’s our third coice goalie - and is reckoned to be quite promising - but I have seen very little of him. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/126 "2003-11-19T12:17:22Z")
Wasn’t too bad, but to be honest I didn’t see him have to do anything particularly more strenuous than pick the ball out of the net three times. I suppose he could have saved the first, and was unlucky for the second (buit of a goal line scramble) but we didn’t actually force him into too many decent saves. Last night wouldn’t have been the game to evaluate him on. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/127 "2003-11-20T10:35:10Z")
**Devastating.** I joined 73,000 at the Millennium Stadium last night. That is an _incredible_ **2.5%** of the 2.9M population (give or take the odd Russian or exiled scouser), or 1 in every 40 Welsh people. All utterly, _utterly_ gutted. I could have wept. So close. Hartson through only to pull it wide. Speed’s free header. Giggsy hitting the post. All for naught. Another false dawn before the darkness, like an Arctic winter. Against a country over a thousand times bigger and more populous, we struggled without the composure of Simon Davies, the accuracy of Pembridge and the tenacity and pace of Bellamy. Ah well, perhaps that might move us up to the “third bowl” or whatever it is in qualification for the World Cup, when Giggs will be 33 and Hartson and Speed will be out to pasture in Greggs the Bakers and Tony & Guy respectively. And at least we didn’t suffer the ignominy of the Jocks. Christ, the play-off system might provide some genuine excitement for a neutral, but for the lower rung countries who compete in it time after time after time, it can be soul-destroying. And we can cheer Latvia. Woo hoo. Turkey must think the Apocalypse has come early. On to jollier matters, I hereby present the SDMB Manager of the Month trophy (sponsored by Everest windows in conjunction with the Ted Moult Memorial Fund) to… **Skopo!** % ::: polite applause ::: You now have unlimited changes until Saturday when month 3 starts. _Balls…suppose I’ll have to cheer for those nonces in white now._ ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/128 "2003-11-20T10:55:11Z")
Well, the Rooskies did a job on you. Bad luck, though. Someone on the radio was saying Wales were the best-supported home team in Europe. I suppose that could be in absolute numbers, never mind the % malarkey. You people don’t know how lucky you are conjoined with the affluent master race next door willing to support your sporting infrastructure. As for the Sweaties, I’m sure when Mel Gibson gets around to the film, they’ll win 2-0 and last night will become an instant false memory. Sorry for the Norse, though it was convincing in the end. You needed a blizzard, never mind zero temps. Heard this interesting thought; the European Chaps are – at least until the semis – tougher than the World Cup. In other words, the group stage and quarter finals are watered down for the World Cup by nations from all over the show until the presence of Brazil and Argentina becomes felt in the last four . . . oooh, I thought. Interesting. Well done, **Skopo** but I wuz robbed! R.I.P. Ted Moult ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/129 "2003-11-20T11:18:07Z")
> [@](#): > > You people don’t know how lucky you are conjoined with the affluent master race next door willing to support your sporting infrastructure. I’m glad it was actually Lottery money in proportion to Lottery ticket sales _in Wales_, plus WRU and WDA money, plus the usual venture capital, that allowed Wales essentially to build the stadium _itself_. Christ, if we’d have left it to the efete wankers next door it might’ve been another Wembley. If you need a venue for a cup final, play-off or even an England international, just give us a ring. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/130 "2003-11-20T11:39:55Z")
Nothing efete about Ted Mould, pal! What are you talkin about "Lottery funding from tickets sold only in Wales . . . " This is the first I’ve heard - you sure you haven’t suffered a bout of Small Nationitis ? And I’ve almost got me a decent ‘F’ chord. FFFinally. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/131 "2003-11-20T11:41:39Z")
Moult, Mound, Mould . . . don’t know which is worse . . . ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/132 "2003-11-20T12:17:06Z")
> [@](#): > > What are you talkin about "Lottery funding from tickets sold only in Wales . . . " If tickets were _only_ sold in England then, yes, the stadium would have been a charity case. However, since the old mug’s game is quite popular up the valleys then one can safely say that there was no significant _net transfer_ of Lottery funds from England to Wales, even though the money had to go there to come back again. However, since most of those tickets are paid for with Job Seekers Allowance which _does_ represent such a net outflow, perhaps you have a point. However, since such mass unemployment was arguably deliberately caused (or at least sacrificed none-too-reluctantly) by London-Centric policies, perhaps you haven’t. I may have Smallnationitis but you, sir, are a load of London. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/133 "2003-11-20T13:11:36Z")
You make it sound completely incongruous that every European nation of under three million people doesn’t have a 70-80,000 stadium with a sliding roof and all mod cons (housing, I’m reliably informed, 2.5% of the entire population. No less). That aside, I was with you until you got to Aunt Glynnis pushing her 8-seater pram into Costcutters in Ebervale for her twice-weekly £300.00 punt courtesy of Child Benefit . . but then the _net benefit_ computation got the better of me! Close the roof would you, that pig looks like it might fly in. God Bless the Welsh lottery and all Men of Garlic! ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/134 "2003-11-20T13:35:20Z")
Well, OK. £170M is a lot to ask from an Ebbw Vale thriftshop. But I still think that if you were to attempt to prove that the stadium would simply never have been built without a _direct and indisputable net transfer of funds from England to Wales_, you might be surprised at what advances genetic engineering has made possible in the field of porcine aviation. ---
**Author:** ![UselessGit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/74df32/32.png) [@UselessGit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UselessGit)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/135 "2003-11-20T15:59:16Z")
6-0 you say? Mighty Iceland would never have lost to the dutch in the play-offs. Lucky scottish bastards to get there in the first place… Still, for a moment there I was afraid Norway and Scotland would somehow qualify. Now that would be a European Championships finals that I could do without… ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/136 "2003-11-20T16:03:59Z")
With you 100% on Snoreway, Useless. ---
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/137 "2003-11-20T18:10:30Z")
0-3 against Spain, not fun but we only had the slightest of chances and we got rid of our useless national coach. Had to watch the second half of Netherlands-Scotland with a Scot toAt least one of the Norwegian players made a good tackle [10 pictures](http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/bildeserier/) With you 100% on Scotland Useless but it could have been much worse, before the last round Ireland and Iceland could have qualyfied! ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/138 "2003-11-21T22:06:57Z")
Well the League of Ireland title was won tonight. Not by Bohemians, unfortunately, but by Shelbourne. The team that gave up a 3-0 lead over Rangers in the UEFA Cup a few years ago. For that reason alone I hate them. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/139 "2003-11-24T09:46:10Z")
The weekend is now over - and what a weekend it was. The sporting world watched with baited breath as an epic north/south clash occured between two proud sporting behemoths, with the men in white’s class eventually giving them the edge. Is there anyone else you would have wanted to depend on to kick to win a match? Yup; spurs beat villa, and keane scored the winner. Looks like Houghton’s going to get first team responsibilty with the kerb-crawler oiling about in the boardroom. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133/140 "2003-11-24T10:54:52Z")
I felt pretty deflated after the game; the realisation that, in all honesty, we’re _aspiring_ to mid-table mediocrity. And we’re _still_ 24-ish points from safety. Almost had a heart attack when I saw Guf on the bench . . . I need to believe the days of him and Sharon playing together are over. Please make it true . . . Apart from that, I didn’t have a major gripe with the team selection (given the circs). I noticed Robbie went out of his way to defend Postiga again, saying how he’s “flying” in training and “just needs a goal”. From what I can see he also needs the very basics of first touch control, better than park standard positional play and to find a way to beat my old granny over every distance from 5-50 yards. Maybe it is confidence and, yep, he’s only 20, but I’m worried. Good to know Freddie’s almost ready and Simon Davies isn’t far behind. Now to turn over His Sourness oop norf. I think we can do it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-november/211133.md?page=8)