A scots view of the World Cup
Posted by Martin in Scotland, World Cup | 8 May 2006
As a Scotsman of a certain age I’m old enough to remember when Scotland used to qualify for the greatest show in the world. By all accounts we would go there embarrass ourselves then pull a glorious failure from the jaws of victory but we would be there. Now like Norn Iron and Wales qualification seems as far removed as Sven trousers on a night out away from the burd.
Do I wish Scotland where there? Yes it would be great to qualify, get a rubbish World Cup song and maybe win a game in the main event but really apart from, Archie Gemmils goal in 78, Dave Narey’s toe poke in 82 and the opening game in 98 that ended in a so Scotland way- getting beat by an own goal- we have been a waste of space in the competition. No-one remembers we were there by the time the quarter finals come round.
There is a misconception that because Scotland is not there most will take satisfaction from England failing in the summer and most will be supporting who ever England are playing. Load of juggling balls. Even if Scotland were there we would take pleasure in England failing and would support whoever England where playing. The reason? Jealousy down right jealousy.
England is a quarter final team. They are always involved when the competition big boys get serious unless the draw and poor results in the no mark group sections have been unkind to a team. They have players that could play in any team in Europe. The whole nation gets behind them from weather girls to high brow political figures.
Us? We are a non-qualifying team who the big boys never take seriously. We have players who can’t get into Championship and SPL teams never mind EPL or European teams and the nation never gets behind the team as the majority of Celtic and R*ngers fans couldn’t give a monkeys chuff about the national side and frankly the tartan army are a bit of an embarrassment.
What does unite the nation is Gazza crying, the hand of god, missed pens, seaman being lobbed, crying and sad faced commentators and the general love of our more illustrious neighbours- in a football sense- getting papped out on their collective behinds after building themselves up into a frenzy. But it’s nothing personal.
The elation of an England defeat only lasts as long as it does to finish your 1st pint after the final whistle. Then you realise that it doesn’t really matter to you anyway. You have no attachment to the result because really it’s not your team. Maybe that’s just me maybe there is some guys who love England getting beat more than Scotland or their team winning. But then that’s not just cricket.
Me? I’m supporting-well I say supporting I mean having a passing interest in- Sweden just like I have done for the last seven years- all about Henrick Larsson- will also have an interest in Japan- Shuggie Nakamura- and Poland- Zurawski and Arthur Boruc. Other than that I just hope football is the victor.
Hail Hail
KevinG of Lord of the Wing
Comments
That comment about the elation of an England defeat only lasting the time to finish a pint is probably accurate. However looking for Sweden to do anything worthwhile will leave you disappointed but it won`t matter if football is the winner.
In fact the more I think about it with all these games to be played I`d better stock up on books to provide some entertainment this summer. (yawn)
