That kiss - NOT amateur radio

The man in charge of football in Spain, Luis Rubiales, is at the centre of a media storm. 

The fact that the media has created such a fuss has taken the focus off the women's team that won the world cup and onto this man instead. 

Now, I do not have all the facts and stand to be corrected. My reading of the situation is that this is a story whipped up by the media. Yes, he was carried away by the excitement of the moment, made a mistake, but it would have been better just forgotten. He is also in trouble for scratching his crotch. This took about 1 second! I am pretty sure he just had an innocent itch.

The media has a habit of creating stories. Personally, I do not think he should be made to resign.

Football - NOT amateur radio

Although I rarely go to a football (soccer) match, I take an interest. 

Coventry and Luton were at Wembley battling for a place in the Premier League. It was a hard fought match that Luton eventually won after extra time and a penalty shoot out. 

This was very tense and your heart bleeds for Coventry man who missed his penalty. It was a very close fought match that both teams deserved to win.

Football - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, we call soccer "football". I am definitely an armchair fan! The last time I went to a match in person was 3 years ago with my son and grandson at Cambridge United. Watching on the TV is not the same, but some matches are very expensive.

Today, I have split loyalties: Plymouth Argyle used to be my local team. If they win today they have a better chance of promotion to the next league up. Cambridge United are struggling at the bottom of the table and face relegation. Last time I looked, Plymouth were 3:1 up.

Wrexham Town, who are a non-league team, could be promoted into the Football League if they win tonight.

UPDATE 1600z:  Plymouth Argyle won 3:1.

England v. Germany (football) - NOT amateur radio

England played Germany in the knockout stages of the delayed Euros at Wembley. For the first time since 1966, England managed to win. 

Although I am not a great football (soccer) fan, I watched the game, as did many in England. 

After the last year or so, we deserve a bit of good news.

Football World Cup - NOT amateur radio

Although not a great football fan, this was a good final between France and Croatia. France won 4:2. The match was good spirited and Croatia battled to the end. Whatever one's views on Russia politically, the World Cup went off well.

England got further than in a long time and, on the whole, fans were well behaved.

It would be good if we had a few more English players in the Premier League. Apparently only a third of Premier League players are English. This is a pity when we have a pool of good players who would qualify. I guess the teams are motivated by money and profits. Shame.

World Cup Football - NOT amateur radio

OK, I am not a great football fan, but I had to watch England v. Colombia tonight. We so nearly won in the 90 minutes, then they equalised. After a further 30 minutes it was down to penalties and Colombia saved one! In the end England won the penalty shoot-out.  Talk about doing things the hard way.

Not sure watching these games is good for the heart. 😅

Soccer managers - NOT amateur radio

One job that has zero security is managing a UK soccer team. Leicester have sacked the manager who led them to become Premier League champions last season. In this season they are just above the relegation zone.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39070927

Plymoth Argyle - NOT amateur radio

Well, my old local football team Plymouth Argyle (League 2) held Liverpool to a 0:0 draw in the FA cup match today. This earns them a replay (and money) in Plymouth.

Football - NOT amateur radio

My old "local" team, Plymouth Argyle, had a dreadful start to the football season but have now won the last 3 games and are currently in the play-off places. Mind you, it is very early days. My current "local" team, Cambridge United, is currently at the very bottom of the league. Unless they buck up they could lose their league place at the end of the season.

A win at last - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, I am not a great football fan, but I still watch the tables to see how my old local team is doing. Plymouth Argyle are in League Division 2. Last season, they were in the running for promotion. This season they lost their first 2 games, but they won away from home on Tuesday evening.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/plymouth-argyle  .

UEFA 2016 and Wales - NOT amateur radio

Although not a great football fan, I watched Wales beat Belgium 3:1 to reach the semi-finals. Unlike England (who were beaten by outsiders Iceland), Wales played well. By contrast England were hopeless! Well done Wales - you deserved to win.

England Football Fans - NOT amateur radio

Yet again, I am ashamed of the England supporters abroad. Now, I am sure it is a small minority who cause all the unrest and violence but these tarnish the game. Also, sometimes others start the violence knowing that England fans will be blamed.

Personally, I think a lot of this is due to drinking to excesses. Maybe there should be a blanket ban on alcohol within a certain radius of games? This seems unfair on "normal" fans who just go to follow the teams.

I am not a great football fan. Some games are watched on TV but I would never follow my teams abroad. It must be 30 years (at least) since I last went to a football match!

UK Football - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tables .

The English Premier League seems more to do with money these days with many players and managers from outside the UK. I can understand this but feel sure we have untapped talent. The lower leagues are less glamorous and get far less TV coverage.

When it comes to football I admit to being a "fireside fusilier" in that I'm gunner do this or that, but rarely go to a match. I follow the fortunes of Plymouth Argyle and my local team Cambridge United and check where they are in their League (League 2). At the moment Plymouth are doing quite well and have a chance of automatic promotion at the end of the season. Cambridge are also doing pretty well too.

UPDATE 1557z:  71 minutes in Argyle were 0:1 up. In the end they lost 2:1. Had they won, they would have had a very good chance of automatic promotion, but they threw it away. Football!!

Football: Plymouth Argyle - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago this would be the stuff of dreams but this evening Plymouth Argyle are top of League Division 2.  Keep this up and they could even be promoted at the end of the season. Lots of games to go and a lot can happen, but how fortunes are transformed!

It is years since I last saw them play live, but at one time they were my local club. I wish them well. My second cousin has a season ticket. Peter Horn must be a happy man today. So different from a few years ago!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/plymouth-argyle .