Quote: roscoff @ October 15 2013, 11:35 AM BSTEither way were all out of it except you Englanders.
And us "Swisslanders". 
The England Thread... Page 12
Tonight could've been interesting if Poland had beaten Ukraine and England had drawn with Montenegro but ultimately we would still have had to win to guarantee top spot.
I know it was 40 years ago but why would you tempt fate by arranging your final fixture against the team that knocked you out in such a dramatic fashion?
Quote: Tuumble @ October 15 2013, 12:12 PM BSTI know it was 40 years ago but why would you tempt fate by arranging your final fixture against the team that knocked you out in such a dramatic fashion?
England have faced Poland in their final group game five times since that 1973 result, in qualifying for both World Cups and European Championships.
They've got the result they needed on every occasion.
That's probably why...
Quote: AndyGilder @ October 15 2013, 1:04 PM BSTEngland have faced Poland in their final group game five times since that 1973 result, in qualifying for both World Cups and European Championships.
They've got the result they needed on every occasion.
That's probably why...
Five? Off the top of my head I can recall a couple but they were both away so I'm going to have to do some research. I don't remember it happening at Wembley in an evening game
That may have been slightly misleading, as one of those was the final group game in the 86 World Cup in Monterrey, where England won 3-0.
Pretty sure that's the stat I heard this morning anyway.
Another one was that England are unbeaten in their last 15 games against Poland.
Was reminded today that Polish forward, Robert Lewandowski, scored 4 goals for Bayern against Real Madrid last season in the CL semi-final first-leg, helping them reach the final. + England are playing their 2nd choice left back, and third choice right back. + a goalkeeper who might have lost his place if there was a credible alternative.
Just sayin'. 
Quote: George Kaplan @ October 15 2013, 2:28 PM BSTWas reminded today that Polish forward, Robert Lewandowski, scored 4 goals for Bayern Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid last season in the CL semi-final first-leg, helping them reach the final.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'. 
ooops, I was a little ahead of myself there. Fortunately I don't think there are any Borussia fans on here?
Quote: George Kaplan @ October 15 2013, 2:34 PM BST* Fortunately I don't think there are any Borussia fans on here?
They're fierce (EDIT: the players and the coach; not the fans!)!
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ October 15 2013, 2:37 PM BSTThey're fierce!
He's so vein.
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ October 15 2013, 2:37 PM BSTThey're fierce!
Not to say a little creepy:
Quote: George Kaplan @ October 15 2013, 2:39 PM BSTHe's so vein.
Quote: Horseradish @ October 15 2013, 2:43 PM BSTNot to say a little creepy:
I wouldn't call myself a Dortmund fan (I'm not German anyway)...but I prefer them to Bayern. And coach Klopp is a great guy. His IQ is way higher than what is usual in the football circuit.
Now that Rooney has officially changed his name to Wazza, I can't wait to see it printed on his shirt.
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ October 15 2013, 2:47 PM BSTI wouldn't call myself a Dortmund fan (I'm not German anyway)...but I prefer them to Bayern. And coach Klopp is a great guy. His IQ is way higher than what is usual in the football circuit.
I think it would be Werder Bremen for me or Borussia Munchengladbach.
Have only been to half a dozen grounds outside England. None of them were in Germany.
Quote: George Kaplan @ October 15 2013, 2:58 PM BSTNow that Rooney has officially changed his name to Wazza, I can't wait to see it printed on his shirt.
Typical England. The country's in economic crisis, 2 billion pounds worth of business depends on a ball crossing a line, and whether we sink or swim is now all down to a bloke called Wazza. Makes ya proud!
England are tough to beat but not so difficult to score a point off - it's been that way for years. If you're interested in stats about how hard it is to trust England you only have to look at their results in opening matches of major tournaments. In 21 matches they've won just 5 since 1950 drawing 10 and losing 6. They're always on the back foot from the kick off