I love Tunisia of course and Belgium can be surprisingly good with one of the best players in the world at the moment. Meanwhile Morocco should beat Iran but will have a challenge with both Spain and Portugal.

What surprises/intrigues me is neighbours Portugal and Spain in the same group.

Fractious relationships for centuries - including the Peninsular and Napoleonic wars.

Even Wellington got involved - and both countries discovered most of the new world.

Their languages still survive in so many countries - although they're both long gone.


Now Ronaldo will meet his team mates early in the tournament - which will totally immerse the Iberian peninsular...

Could be good news for little Morocco as the two giants knock each other out.

I went to the World Cup game in Marseilles in the 90s when England played Tunisia - as guest of Tunisia (for being a good friend to the country) - had a brilliant time - David Beckham was playing.

England's first game is against Tunisia.

The result will set the scene for the group.


And goals will be scarce, with so much to lose.

Defending will be critical and draws - in the group - common place.

I shall be rooting for both underdogs - Tunisia and Morocco - above England.

As an ex-amateur/mediocre and lower league player, I have always remained neutral - but am fascinated by skill.

Thierry Henri, Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Best, Beckham, Neymar, Maradonna, Giggs, Moore, Mathews had everything.

Increased fitness levels have raised the bar - but we're likely to see a few new chaps approaching their levels. Unlikely British, because the EPL has nearly 70% foreign players.

Skill is -


..not having to watch the ball at your feet, when running with it

..knowing who is behind you, and their probable intentions

..frequently seeing your team players, in a better place, to pass to

.. getting into vacant territory, to allow easy receipt of a ball/pass

..analysing opposition weaknesses, and strengths

..encouraging team mates; ignoring all others

JK2006 wrote:
I went to the World Cup game in Marseilles in the 90s when England played Tunisia - as guest of Tunisia (for being a good friend to the country) - had a brilliant time - David Beckham was playing.

Interesting.

Spee wrote:
As an ex-amateur/mediocre and lower league player, I have always remained neutral - but am fascinated by skill.

Thierry Henri, Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Best, Beckham, Neymar, Maradonna, Giggs, Moore, Mathews had everything.

Increased fitness levels have raised the bar - but we're likely to see a few new chaps approaching their levels. Unlikely British, because the EPL has nearly 70% foreign players.




May I ask you what team/s youb played for,Spee?

It makes a nice change that we don't have Sweden.

Yes we should get passed the group stage but then we will get knocked out and then papers/public will moan for days.

Andrew - I played in the lower divisions of the Isthmian and Southern leagues. And soon discovered my glaring limitations.

However, the comraderie was great - and I still meet (and go to games with) many chaps I played with. Followed by a beer, or 6.

End of season tours - of Italy, Germany, France etc. - were high points, though lasting only a week or so. My first international sojourns.

To me sport - whatever one(s) catch your fancy - has a place in everyone's life, even if for some reason, you are unable to compete.

Can you tell me what teams as I used to follow them leagues for years and seasons?

Slough Town and Dorking

Spee wrote:
Slough Town and Dorking



Did you play against Folkestone Invicta ?

Spee wrote:
Andrew - I played in the lower divisions of the Isthmian and Southern leagues. And soon discovered my glaring limitations.

However, the comraderie was great - and I still meet (and go to games with) many chaps I played with. Followed by a beer, or 6.

End of season tours - of Italy, Germany, France etc. - were high points, though lasting only a week or so. My first international sojourns.

To me sport - whatever one(s) catch your fancy - has a place in everyone's life, even if for some reason, you are unable to compete.




I was never great at sport even though I bloody tried at football in all positions at school .

I can't play cricket either but I embrace the sport. Wrestling in schools in the UK does not exist (can't see why) but is adored in schools in USA, some high school wrestlers ended up being rich and famous.

If you are a mma or wrestking fan buy Dan Seven autobiography.

andrew wrote:
Did you play against Folkestone Invicta ?

Yes - a very good side.

Played at Cheriton Road a couple of times.

Spee wrote:
andrew wrote:
Did you play against Folkestone Invicta ?

Yes - a very good side.

Played at Cheriton Road a couple of times.




No doubt I have seen you play.

If you did Andrew, you wouldn't have remembered.

For most of us mediocrities, it gave us the opportunity to see what we might have been - if we had been good enough.

And allowed is to meet all kinds, who play sport at different levels - and to make friends.

Not to have played would be totally incomprehensible; just like music is the life catalyst for so many others.

Spee wrote:
If you did Andrew, you wouldn't have remembered.

For most of us mediocrities, it gave us the opportunity to see what we might have been - if we had been good enough.

And allowed is to meet all kinds, who play sport at different levels - and to make friends.

Not to have played would be totally incomprehensible; just like music is the life catalyst for so many others.




You ever had a dual contract ?

Never had a contract!