Italy v England

[Alderman Barnes]

Italy - the stinkers - are blatantly flouting FIFA rules by wearing white shorts, while England are obediently wearing the regulation all white.

Surely the match must be abandoned immediately. What if the ball hits someone's bum in a critical situation? This is a bloody disgrace.

[Gangster Octopus]

Italy v England

The adverts on the other side of the pitch are aimed at England, but the ones at each end of the pitch are aimed at Italy. Is that normal?

[Borracho]

Italy v England

Do they include Wampum Jeans?

[ursus arctos]

Italy v England

GO, it's quite common in Italy internationals.

Calx, you're really dating yourself. It's all Frankie Garage these days.

[Borracho]

Italy v England

I used to chuckle when Ireland played away qualifiers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and incredibly exotic places like the Ta'Qali in Valletta and the Qemal Stafa in Tirana would have billboards pitchside for things like Senator Windows and Allied Irish Banks -- and, on one memorable occasion, Fianna Fáil (there was a general election campaign going on at the time).

Conversely, when Ireland played Hungary in Budapest in 1989, nearly all the advertising hoardings were for Spanish things like Cepsa and Larios, because Spain were in the same group and presumably TVE had forked out some cash to show the game live.

[ursus arctos]

Italy v England

I thought I was the only one who paid attention to stuff like that.

Ta 'Qali was an improvement over its predecessor (the Empire Stadium), which could barely grow grass

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Italy v England

The bloke who hasn't scored in three months in English football just has. Against England.

[EIM]

Italy v England

"Where were you in the war?" sing the England fans. Sigh.

[Diable Rouge]

Italy v England

Who's the Setanta commentator - have been most impressed by his footballing intelligence?

[nmrfox]

Italy v England

Mysterious injury to Chris Smalling ends the Big Foot and Henderson experiment.

[SouthdownRebel]

Italy v England

The Ballad Of Lightbowne Lil wrote: "Where were you in the war?" sing the England fans. Sigh.

I assume the reply came back "Greece, Monte Cassino and a number of other places"?

Meanwhile, England showing tonight just how easy their group is, and how important it is to nullify the dangerous Italians by sticking rigidly to their positions. In a stroke of tactical genius, Hodgson sends on Kyle Walker for the second half.

[DCI Harry Batt]

Italy v England

So they are still losing?

[ursus arctos]

Italy v England

Yup

[DCI Harry Batt]

Italy v England

Cool.

[SouthdownRebel]

Italy v England

England are now bringing on players I don't recognise...ok, so I have heard of Ryan Mason at least, but I am completely unfamiliar with any redeeming features he may possess.

[ursus arctos]

Italy v England

Townsend equalises.

Only ex-Orient players can score for England these days.

[Kevin S]

Italy v England

I hadn't even heard of him. But that's my fault not his I imagine, as apathy sets in.

Nice finish from Townsend though.

[DCI Harry Batt]

Italy v England

It does seem kinda unlikely to be his fault, really.

[hobbes]

Italy v England

Well I certainly blame him.

[SouthdownRebel]

Italy v England

There was no blame attached to the comment, 'twas merely an observation.

Edit: Oh, you were talking to Kevchenko. Who I also wouldn't recognise if he came off the bench to replace Jordan Henderson.

[Gerontophile]

Italy v England

Yeah, and much as you all hate them, England are not bad.

[Kevin S]

Italy v England

Is it his fault he's not heard of me?

[Gerontophile]

Italy v England

(SOrry, threadswap)

England are playing ok, thanks. Fine if Italy nick one, but also fine if they dont... Oy vey.

Calvin Clyne should never play for England again.

[EIM]

Italy v England

See, this England team is actually a fair representation of multicultural England. Jagielka is Polis, Townsend Greek Cypriot/Jamaican, Barkley is half Nigerian, Rooney is as Irish as red lemonade, Welbeck, though not playing, is Ghanaian, Sterling was born in Jamaica, Harry Kane is an emotion that transcends nationality and geography... but the fans remain resolutely and unapologetically small town fucking England.

[Gerontophile]

Italy v England

Is Eder a natural Italian name?

I really like this England team.