France hasn't failed
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France HAS failed

IOAG but I think that is just bullshít.

Italians have an even worse sense of country, they are all very proud to be from their area and hate anyone from a different part of the country. A lot of this lack of national pride has been stemmed by the government, but I am not going to get into a political debate.

Yet, the national team all gel together and fight as one for their country, despite the likes of Balotelli getting horrendously racially abused by his own fans, etc.

I think it is up to the poor French management, and lack of any real leader in the national team. Lloris has been the captain now for about 3/4 years and he is still very young. There is noone in their team anymore, like a Vieira or Henry who you can think can really rally this team together.

Yet, the national team all gel together and fight as one for their country
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It's completely different, as the vast majority are of 'traditional' Italian extraction. Yes, Balotelli gets horrendous abuse, so imagine what it would be like if 75% of the team were 2nd gen immigrants and they lost a match they were favoured to win. ForzaItalia or whatever that mob's called now would be all over them in a flash, with their powerful media backing.
Spain could be a similar example.


Unfortunately though, there's still a huge amount of underlying or even overt racism and xenophobia in many European countries.

I don't think it's illogical to think you might react negatively when your forefathers have been enslaved, oppressed and discriminated for centuries, and your own parents have been made to feel alien to a society where they've slogged away their lives doing the most unwanted jobs, and then when you try and give that country your all, you get all that bile thrown back at you.

I'm sure it'd píss me off.

I understand where you are coming from, but I am saying for different reasons a lot of countries dont tend to share the same national pride as the likes of the UK etc, Italy being one of them. Yet Italy can sort it out when they come to playing football.

Admittedly both circumstances aren't exactly like for like, but there are a fair few similar circumstances. The Italian team in the 2010 World cup didnt all collapse to the same extent as France's team did. Yet they were an embarrassment and where lambasted by their nation and its media. They managed to turn this around though, and I believe that is more due to having players like Buffon/De Rossi/Pirlo/Chiellini etc around your camp. All players with experience who can really 'round the troops', to use a cliche.

On another note, I have followed for Sevilla for about 5 years now, and now I see no point as there is noone in the team I want to go out my way to see play (previously was Navas, Negredo, Kanoute, Fabiano etc)

Am I wrong to stop following hte team, or is there someone worth watching?

They've bought pretty well to replace those players to be fair

Rakitic, Marin, and Cheryshev on loan from Madrid is one to watch

Oh yeah, I liked Marin

Also LB Alberto Moreno is deffo one to watch for the future, already rumoured to have had big clubs sniffing around him. Perotti if he can ever stay fit, Gameiro too. Haven't seen this Bacca fella, but they were pretty excited about him. Jairo Samperio another promising youngster they've just landed from Racing.

Quite a nice little team I reckon, plenty to look out for.

mexico are having an awful qualifying campaign !

for only the 2nd time in their history, they lost a qualifier in the azteca last night !

1-2 against honduras

Gamiero just moved though. Smart to move away from PSG but should be playing in Europe at the very least for me.

Sevilla are in the Europa League LRF.

Did they finish in the places last season? I didn't even know? How many get into the EL in pain? It's just 2 isn't it? They must have got into it with Valencia then.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

LRF
I think that has something to do with teams above them being denied a European license by UEFA.

Oh right.

All curled up just like a scare that a candle lit.

How are we all?

Brazil 6-0 Australia

"Friends for life"

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International Break

@rcdlccom: #Depor (4-2-3-1) Lux – Laure, Insua, Uxío, Luisinho – Álex Bergantiños, Juan Domínguez – Rudy, Culio, Arizmendi – Borja Bastón.

Morning all

No football and got to start new work tomorrow. At least League One is on though.

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