Turning to the Dark Side

[Biffer]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

[Tichtheid]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

That’ll be a blast

I’d be torn if I was in Germany on Friday, obvs Scotland v Germany in Munich, but Talisk are playing at the fanzone at the Brandenburg Gate before the match, they are one of the best live bands I’ve seen, that gig will be jumping.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

There's some proper good beer in most of those locations if that's your thing - just sayin'

[Biffer]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

There's some proper good beer in most of those locations if that's your thing - just sayin'

Beer? Never tried it. Maybe now is the time.

[inactionman]

Ah great.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... -2024-game

German police believe a squad of up to 500 Serbian hooligans will try to cause violence at England men’s first game at Euro 2024 on Sunday.

[Biffer]

Ah great.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... -2024-game

German police believe a squad of up to 500 Serbian hooligans will try to cause violence at England men’s first game at Euro 2024 on Sunday.

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

[inactionman]

Ah great.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... -2024-game

German police believe a squad of up to 500 Serbian hooligans will try to cause violence at England men’s first game at Euro 2024 on Sunday.

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

[Biffer]

Ah great.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... -2024-game

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

Yeah, I'd hope so as well. It's more avoiding the constant 'banter' of jock this jock that pish that'd likely come our way that day.

[inactionman]

I had high hopes for England a few years back, but we've not played well in a while. Plenty of decent options going forward, but they're not clicking and we still don't look that secure at the back.

Still looking forward to it, might try and get to the pub for a few England and Scotland games.

[inactionman]

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

Yeah, I'd hope so as well. It's more avoiding the constant 'banter' of jock this jock that pish that'd likely come our way that day.

I've been to England games with Scottish and Irish and it's never been a bother. Most people don't really give a shit.

Mind you, worth swerving any bar with bunches of loud fans with flags of any national persuasion. A very useful metaphorical red flag.

[Slick]

I've managed to book myself on a camping trip this weekend with no TV in sight. FFS.

[inactionman]

I've managed to book myself on a camping trip this weekend with no TV in sight. FFS.

It's on ITV/STV so make sure you charge your phone, bulk up your roaming data and you're good to go.

[Paddington Bear]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

That’ll be a blast

I’d be torn if I was in Germany on Friday, obvs Scotland v Germany in Munich, but Talisk are playing at the fanzone at the Brandenburg Gate before the match, they are one of the best live bands I’ve seen, that gig will be jumping.

I saw England beat Colombia at the Brandenburg Gate in 2018 - our first successful penalty shoot out in my lifetime I think I’m right in saying. Hell of an experience, and I say that as a man for whom football is a very poor third sport

[clydecloggie]

Ah great.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... -2024-game

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

Most of Germany has very liberal drugs laws these days so a good chance the fans will be sedated similarly to the riot-free games in Euro 2000 in Holland (as opposed to the hooligan wars that were held on Belgian streets in the same tournament).

[Slick]

I've managed to book myself on a camping trip this weekend with no TV in sight. FFS.

It's on ITV/STV so make sure you charge your phone, bulk up your roaming data and you're good to go.

Where do I make my £11k claim on Monday?

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

That’ll be a blast

I’d be torn if I was in Germany on Friday, obvs Scotland v Germany in Munich, but Talisk are playing at the fanzone at the Brandenburg Gate before the match, they are one of the best live bands I’ve seen, that gig will be jumping.

I saw England beat Colombia at the Brandenburg Gate in 2018 - our first successful penalty shoot out in my lifetime I think I’m right in saying. Hell of an experience, and I say that as a man for whom football is a very poor third sport

I remember us beating Spain in the Euros many years ago.

[Paddington Bear]

We're staying near Dortmund and decided to get the hell out of dodge the day England are playing in Gelsenkirchen v Serbia. Getting the 8 am train to Hamburg to drink with the Dutch and the Poles instead.

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

Most of Germany has very liberal drugs laws these days so a good chance the fans will be sedated similarly to the riot-free games in Euro 2000 in Holland (as opposed to the hooligan wars that were held on Belgian streets in the same tournament).

It is possible to underestimate the extent to which cocaine has become totally pervasive in football fan culture (and a lot of other night out culture now). The queues for the cubicles in the gents are fucking tragic, particularly for those of us for whom a guinness too many requires actual usage of said cubicle

[Slick]

It's not the wild west it once was, and I'm hoping the police have a grip (metaphorically and literally) on the dicks who can't behave.

Most of Germany has very liberal drugs laws these days so a good chance the fans will be sedated similarly to the riot-free games in Euro 2000 in Holland (as opposed to the hooligan wars that were held on Belgian streets in the same tournament).

It is possible to underestimate the extent to which cocaine has become totally pervasive in football fan culture (and a lot of other night out culture now). The queues for the cubicles in the gents are fucking tragic, particularly for those of us for whom a guinness too many requires actual usage of said cubicle

Was going to mention similar, coke is being blamed as the main driver for much of the uptick in violence at football across Europe and I expect many are going over fully loaded.

[David in Gwent]

I fancy Serbia to beat England on Sunday. The Serbs hate the UK and quite simply, the premiership luvvies just will not be able to stand up to the physicality of the Serbians, they can play a bit too.

The Serbs also had a good win at the weekend and what with being the tallest team at the EC, they should terrorise the makeshift English defence, especially at set pieces.

Serbia are currently 8/1 - should be more like 2/1, tops.

[Hugo]

I fancy Serbia to beat England on Sunday. The Serbs hate the UK and quite simply, the premiership luvvies just will not be able to stand up to the physicality of the Serbians, they can play a bit too.

The Serbs also had a good win at the weekend and what with being the tallest team at the EC, they should terrorise the makeshift English defence, especially at set pieces.

Serbia are currently 8/1 - should be more like 2/1, tops.

I know you are into your gambling, is it prudent to bet against England based on the way the betting market is distorted? England are 3/1 to win it which seems silly given how many teams are in it.

[Hugo]

I've never seriously gambled in my life but I saw Arsenal were 1/2 to finish in the top 4 next season and given they were 29 points (or so) clear of 5th place last season it seems a worthwhile bet.

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

Have fun, hope Scotland have a great tournament.

[Blackmac]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

Wow. Sounds like a brilliant trip. Enjoy.

[Tichtheid]

[David in Gwent]

I fancy Serbia to beat England on Sunday. The Serbs hate the UK and quite simply, the premiership luvvies just will not be able to stand up to the physicality of the Serbians, they can play a bit too.

The Serbs also had a good win at the weekend and what with being the tallest team at the EC, they should terrorise the makeshift English defence, especially at set pieces.

Serbia are currently 8/1 - should be more like 2/1, tops.

I know you are into your gambling, is it prudent to bet against England based on the way the betting market is distorted? England are 3/1 to win it which seems silly given how many teams are in it.

I wouldn't say it's distorted as the odds are based on paper.

However, the results of games aren't based on paper. 8/1 for Serbia to beat England is ridicu,ous.

I wouldn't touch England on 3/1 with a barge pole. Historically, the Euros are won by countries that play as an actual team, who fight for each other, take Italy 3 years ago.

England are not the sum of their parts, they have no leadership either on the field or in their management. Which is a shame.

[David in Gwent]

I'm off to the Euros on Thursday. Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart on the agenda. Away for 11 days. Cannae wait!

I actually bought this on 7inch way, (£1.25) way back in time. Have a great trip.

[TedMaul]

I fancy Serbia to beat England on Sunday. The Serbs hate the UK and quite simply, the premiership luvvies just will not be able to stand up to the physicality of the Serbians, they can play a bit too.

The Serbs also had a good win at the weekend and what with being the tallest team at the EC, they should terrorise the makeshift English defence, especially at set pieces.

Serbia are currently 8/1 - should be more like 2/1, tops.

I know you are into your gambling, is it prudent to bet against England based on the way the betting market is distorted? England are 3/1 to win it which seems silly given how many teams are in it.

I wouldn't say it's distorted as the odds are based on paper.

However, the results of games aren't based on paper. 8/1 for Serbia to beat England is ridicu,ous.

I wouldn't touch England on 3/1 with a barge pole. Historically, the Euros are won by countries that play as an actual team, who fight for each other, take Italy 3 years ago.

England are not the sum of their parts, they have no leadership either on the field or in their management. Which is a shame.

I hope you're not on a wind-up, just laid 20 quid at 8.6 to 1 on Betfair Exchange.

[robmatic]

I haven't followed football that closely over recent years but we now have a tournament where I have to support three teams (England, Scotland, and Turkey), which will no doubt be a cause for multiple disappointments.

[David in Gwent]

I know you are into your gambling, is it prudent to bet against England based on the way the betting market is distorted? England are 3/1 to win it which seems silly given how many teams are in it.

I wouldn't say it's distorted as the odds are based on paper.

However, the results of games aren't based on paper. 8/1 for Serbia to beat England is ridicu,ous.

I wouldn't touch England on 3/1 with a barge pole. Historically, the Euros are won by countries that play as an actual team, who fight for each other, take Italy 3 years ago.

England are not the sum of their parts, they have no leadership either on the field or in their management. Which is a shame.

I hope you're not on a wind-up, just laid 20 quid at 8.6 to 1 on Betfair Exchange.

Definitely not on a wind up. I've done practically the same.

[clydecloggie]

I wouldn't say it's distorted as the odds are based on paper.

However, the results of games aren't based on paper. 8/1 for Serbia to beat England is ridicu,ous.

I wouldn't touch England on 3/1 with a barge pole. Historically, the Euros are won by countries that play as an actual team, who fight for each other, take Italy 3 years ago.

England are not the sum of their parts, they have no leadership either on the field or in their management. Which is a shame.

I hope you're not on a wind-up, just laid 20 quid at 8.6 to 1 on Betfair Exchange.

Definitely not on a wind up. I've done practically the same.

Batting against England is always a good idea as the odds are always distorted in their favour (due to punter behaviour - large amounts of bets in support of a team that are not warranted based on that team's quality and results shortens the odds below where they 'objectively' should be).

[inactionman]

I hope you're not on a wind-up, just laid 20 quid at 8.6 to 1 on Betfair Exchange.

Definitely not on a wind up. I've done practically the same.

Batting against England is always a good idea as the odds are always distorted in their favour (due to punter behaviour - large amounts of bets in support of a team that are not warranted based on that team's quality and results shortens the odds below where they 'objectively' should be).

I think you're being a little bit disingenuous there - it's not a trend that's not repeated in other teams and their supporters.

But certainly recent results haven't shown much promise, the latest friendlies were not great. In saying that, England ultimately lost to the winners in 2022, lost the final on penalties in 2020 and lost in extra time of the semis in 2018.

I truly don't know on this one. It feels like the best opportunities have passed but they're still the same squad, in the main, that have done well in previous tournaments.

[David in Gwent]

Definitely not on a wind up. I've done practically the same.

Batting against England is always a good idea as the odds are always distorted in their favour (due to punter behaviour - large amounts of bets in support of a team that are not warranted based on that team's quality and results shortens the odds below where they 'objectively' should be).

I think you're being a little bit disingenuous there - it's not a trend that's not repeated in other teams and their supporters.

But certainly recent results haven't shown much promise, the latest friendlies were not great. In saying that, England ultimately lost to the winners in 2022, lost the final on penalties in 2020 and lost in extra time of the semis in 2018.

I truly don't know on this one. It feels like the best opportunities have passed but they're still the same squad, in the main, that have done well in previous tournaments.

That's purely because most other countries don't have a betting culture like we do in the UK. We've had generations of young men put their "accies" on football every Saturday since the 80s. It's not the same in Germany or France. The sheer volume of money placed on England football matches is astounding.

This also happens to a lesser extent with English Rugby and English cricket - some of the odds offered on England were preposterous during the India tour and were driven by blind optimism alone.

I put it to you that if England had any kind of leadership, whether on the pitch or in their management they would have won at lest one trophy out of the 18, 20 and 22 efforts. - Arguably the leadership is now even worse.

[Mahoney]

Batting against England is always a good idea

You're not wrong, but should surely be in the cricket thread?

[inactionman]

Batting against England is always a good idea as the odds are always distorted in their favour (due to punter behaviour - large amounts of bets in support of a team that are not warranted based on that team's quality and results shortens the odds below where they 'objectively' should be).

I think you're being a little bit disingenuous there - it's not a trend that's not repeated in other teams and their supporters.

But certainly recent results haven't shown much promise, the latest friendlies were not great. In saying that, England ultimately lost to the winners in 2022, lost the final on penalties in 2020 and lost in extra time of the semis in 2018.

I truly don't know on this one. It feels like the best opportunities have passed but they're still the same squad, in the main, that have done well in previous tournaments.

That's purely because most other countries don't have a betting culture like we do in the UK. We've had generations of young men put their "accies" on football every Saturday since the 80s. It's not the same in Germany or France. The sheer volume of money placed on England football matches is astounding.

This also happens to a lesser extent with English Rugby and English cricket - some of the odds offered on England were preposterous during the India tour and were driven by blind optimism alone.

I put it to you that if England had any kind of leadership, whether on the pitch or in their management they would have won at lest one trophy out of the 18, 20 and 22 efforts. - Arguably the leadership is now even worse.

The betting here is dwarfed - utterly dwarfed - by the betting in Asia. And punters will bet on any market, in any market.

I remember the lights 'failing' at a West Ham game so the score for betting purposes was taken as the score at the time the lights failed. It's just huge business.

[David in Gwent]

I think you're being a little bit disingenuous there - it's not a trend that's not repeated in other teams and their supporters.

But certainly recent results haven't shown much promise, the latest friendlies were not great. In saying that, England ultimately lost to the winners in 2022, lost the final on penalties in 2020 and lost in extra time of the semis in 2018.

I truly don't know on this one. It feels like the best opportunities have passed but they're still the same squad, in the main, that have done well in previous tournaments.

That's purely because most other countries don't have a betting culture like we do in the UK. We've had generations of young men put their "accies" on football every Saturday since the 80s. It's not the same in Germany or France. The sheer volume of money placed on England football matches is astounding.

This also happens to a lesser extent with English Rugby and English cricket - some of the odds offered on England were preposterous during the India tour and were driven by blind optimism alone.

I put it to you that if England had any kind of leadership, whether on the pitch or in their management they would have won at lest one trophy out of the 18, 20 and 22 efforts. - Arguably the leadership is now even worse.

The betting here is dwarfed - utterly dwarfed - by the betting in Asia. And punters will bet on any market, in any market.

I remember the lights 'failing' at a West Ham game so the score for betting purposes was taken as the score at the time the lights failed. It's just huge business.

True enough, but were talking specifically about the English football team odds, Asian national football teams are not supported to the same extent as we see in England.

That said, there are skewed odds based on paper, rather than reality every day, everywhere but it's having the knowledge and time to identify them that's the problem.

Take Slovenia v Wales on Sunday night. Slovenia were 2.45 - in reality they were 1.5, at best (decent run of form, last friendly before the Euros, Wales didn't score against Gib 3 days early, had a totally in experienced side, etc, etc, etc) The odds were almost double what they should have been.

Slovenia won 4-0

[David in Gwent]

As an aside, I've had a few quid on Hungary @ 80/1

If they can get a result against Switzerland they can get out of their group and Hungary have only improved since they beat England in England in June of 22. 0 -4

Just a bit of fun though.

[inactionman]

Interview with Pat Nevin in the Grauniad:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... i-loved-it

Bloody good footballer in his day. I quite like him as a commentator, insightful and thoughtful and comes across as a decent man (not that being decent impacts his performance as a commentator, but we've had a few shockers over the years).

[Yr Alban]

Very jealous! I will be in Wales for our game v Germany, half way up the M6 for Switzerland (wife has been informed she will be driving the second half, and I’ll be watching on my phone) and in Shetland for Hungary. Haven’t made any plans beyond that as this is as far as we ever get.

[dpedin]

[Woddy]

Batting against England is always a good idea as the odds are always distorted in their favour (due to punter behaviour - large amounts of bets in support of a team that are not warranted based on that team's quality and results shortens the odds below where they 'objectively' should be).

I think you're being a little bit disingenuous there - it's not a trend that's not repeated in other teams and their supporters.

But certainly recent results haven't shown much promise, the latest friendlies were not great. In saying that, England ultimately lost to the winners in 2022, lost the final on penalties in 2020 and lost in extra time of the semis in 2018.

I truly don't know on this one. It feels like the best opportunities have passed but they're still the same squad, in the main, that have done well in previous tournaments.

That's purely because most other countries don't have a betting culture like we do in the UK. We've had generations of young men put their "accies" on football every Saturday since the 80s. It's not the same in Germany or France. The sheer volume of money placed on England football matches is astounding.

This also happens to a lesser extent with English Rugby and English cricket - some of the odds offered on England were preposterous during the India tour and were driven by blind optimism alone.

I put it to you that if England had any kind of leadership, whether on the pitch or in their management they would have won at lest one trophy out of the 18, 20 and 22 efforts. - Arguably the leadership is now even worse.

Odds always seemed very skewed re England, which I put down to blind, patriotic betting in shops that were localised to the UK. Given the ability to bet from anywhere on-line these days with those same shops, that should no longer apply. But there is no way that England should be favourites for this. Possibly 3rd favs behind/alongside France, Portugal and Germany (given home advantage), but no higher.

But that would have just been blind betting irrespective of odds. I cannot remember a time, ever, when anyone I knew seriously thought England would win a tournament. For the last 2 people considered they had a reasonable chance (and they did) but no stronger. I put it to you that under previous managements, England would not have got as far as they did. They have been far more cohesive, even if Southgate's in-game strategies keep the handbrake on more than I'd like.

[Slick]

Oh god, that's just got me going!

C'MON SCOTLAND!!!!