This is mainly a thread devoted to GENERAL international football, with emphasis (if not entirety of posts) directed at England.

I tend to hate international football, bar the Euros and World Cup, though, obviously. Friendlies are poorly placed, as well as Qualifiers as they badly conflict with the Premiership. Now, I consider myself an avid and devoted footie supporter (Supported Arsenal since I was 10 in 1997, and only miss games only for sleep (although up until recently I would wake up at 10am or earlier to catch matches, even after a night of heaving drinking (note: 2 beers, cheers Lions for about to pointing that out )) and class); but I NEVER watch qualifiers (unless there is truly fuck all to do).

However, Euros and the World Cup? Fuck yeah. Couple England's already incredibly passionate footie fans with national pride, nothing can beat that.

Really missed England in the Euros in 2008.

The official songs almost always suck, but there's always a shit load (and that's no exaggeration) of unofficial songs that even make it to the radio, and many others floating on the internet.

It's amazing how football can unite a nation. Obviously this isn't specific to England, but almost all around the world (bar mainly the US and a few other nations who aren't as passionate because it's not in their culture - yet - or bc they are too small and never qualify)

First memories of watching football ever is when I was 8 hiding under a blanket watching the penalty shootout between England and Germany in Euro 1996 (don't remember any of the game except for those penalties).

The ecstasy of the World Cup 1998 Quarter against Argentina when Owen scored that magical goal, the disbelief of Beckhams red card and Campbell's disallowed goal and the tears following David Batty's miss (nope, didn't have to look that up, all engrained, and 10 year old NL4E WAS DEVESTATED)

Germany 1 - 5 England, September 2001. Have that on video. Immense. Sven Sven Sven Goren Erickson....

World Cup 2002, almost beating Brazil? I woke up at 2am-ish to watch that game, poor Seamo!

The Euro 2004 group stage against France? How amazing, until Heskey fucked it up at the end, giving France the iniative.

The World Cup 2006 QF match against Portugal? I was on my way to the airport flying to England and listened to the shootout on the radio....I was gutted, part of the reason I was vacationing to England at that exact time of year was in order to be in England when the national team reached the Semis of the WC...would have been sensational to experience the atmosphere in the pubs. But it wasn't to be. And another dissallowed goal from Campbell!


The crucial game against Croatia in the Euro 2004 qualifiers? I haven't felt those up and down emotions until the recent 4-4 draw Arsenal had with Liverpool, fucked with my emotions alright.

Sure, more dissapointment than glee, but there's just something special about the whole concept, and Blatter is an idiot if he wants to decrease the gap between WC's etc....the 4 year wait makes it that much more special. Blatter's an idiot regardless.

Heh, I'm done musing. Your turn.