Jules Rimet...

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

...still gleaming. Sorry!

[Diane CBPFC]

Awww.

I don't normally watch sports, and I actually didn't this time either but I did follow along with the play by play from the Guardian in text form and had the Youtube on watching fans from London and Rome to get the sound atmosphere and reactions. 

 

[Roger Kettle]

Another gorgeous bit of artwork, mate! Not sure I understand your "Jules Rimet" reference. Do you mean that the World Cup remains England's last tournament success? Anyway, as I said, glorious artwork!
England did extremely well. To play seven games, reach the final and concede only two goals was a remarkable achievement. On the day, they lost to a better side by the narrowest of margins.
Sadly, once again, the knuckle-draggers have emerged. The racial abuse aimed at the three black players who missed their penalties was sickening. When you add on the violence and vandalism that broke out at Wembley and elsewhere in London, what should have been a wonderful night turned into a horrible one.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

It’s a line from ‘that song’, Roger, which is what inspired the cartoon. Boris coming home… alone.

I was almost hoping England might just do it. If only because it would have meant by the inescapable logic of football, that the only team they couldn’t beat (and did well to hold to a draw) would then be official runners up, and the second best team in Europe. Sadly for my English buddies (well most of them - there was at least one that didn’t know who’d won until I told him the following day) that was not to be. Perhaps just as well.

[Roger Kettle]

Somehow I've managed to block out the lyrics of "that song", Steve!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

That's bloody impressive, Roger!

[Roger Kettle]

Well, I know that football's coming home, apparently, and something about sealions on their shirt but that's about it.

[Mince]

I've heard of football.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Then you'll know the true 'home' of football is, of course, Scotland. The English may have invented the game, although this is widely and vigorously disputed around the globe. But the version we play today, the beautiful passing game (as opposed to kick and chase) evolved from north of the border, and hence the reason 'that song' annoys the dangly bits off everyone north of Hadrian's Wall.

But, of course, telling you this is obviously akin to taking coals to Newcastle, Mincey.

(FYI, Newcastle is a city in the north of England)

[Mince]

(FYI, Newcastle is a city in the north of England)

I've heard of Newcastle. Isn't it just huts and dirt roads beyond that?

[Roger Kettle]

That's a bit rude. The whole of England is beyond that.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Touché!

[Mince]

That's a bit rude. The whole of England is beyond that.

You cave dwellers have always been jealous of our mud huts.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Not me, pal. Have you never read the Three Little Pigs?

[Mince]

Do they eat Kitkats?