Nations League & Friendlies

[Stranded]

San Marino and Liechenstein are the fifth and sixth smallest countries in the world by land area - they have a combined land mass of just 86 square miles.

Liechtenstein now on a run of 40 games without a win (5 draws in that run). Their last win was a 2-1 victory in Luxembourg on 7 October 2020.

Liechenstein seem to be very good at avoiding heavy defeats. Of the 35 defeats in that run, they have only conceded more than two goals on 13 occasions.

Been at a couple of those - have seen Liechtenstein live more times than I've seen England - saw a 5-0 defeat to Austria and a 7-0 defeat to Iceland.

They will target the home game against San Marino in November as a winnable game. Gibraltar complete the group and are probably favourites.

Liechtenstein also have games against Malta and Hong Kong coming up. Highly recommend a trip to a game, lovely little stadium.

[BRO_BOT]

The 'International Break' can fook right off!

[South Coast Royal]

The 'International Break' can fook right off!

Feel the same.
Why can't they play say on a Wednesday and Saturday after a full Saturday programme?
A week is long enough to be together, particularly when we play such low-ranking teams.

It won't happen so we are stuck without a matchday tomorrow so early on when the season has barely started..

For me it has always been club>international football whereas in cricket international>county or franchise.

[Sanguine]

Steven Bergwijn not very happy - after Ronald Koeman publicly ended his international career following his move to Saudi Arabia.

“The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... udi-arabia

[Sutekh]

The 'International Break' can fook right off!

Feel the same.
Why can't they play say on a Wednesday and Saturday after a full Saturday programme?
A week is long enough to be together, particularly when we play such low-ranking teams.

It won't happen so we are stuck without a matchday tomorrow so early on when the season has barely started..

For me it has always been club>international football whereas in cricket international>county or franchise.

Always used to manage perfectly well with just a midweek international fixture but then the authorities all caught something called greed and decided to screw over all the important domestic stuff for the sake of bloated qualifying groups packed out with meaningless (for England) games against minnow sides. Even now you could return to just midweek internationals if they cut the size of qualifying groups to 4 teams with just the group winners progressing but then that'd mean the possibility of teams who are quite good at football not qualifying for something

[Clyde1998]

Steven Bergwijn not very happy - after Ronald Koeman publicly ended his international career following his move to Saudi Arabia.

“The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... udi-arabia

I'm supportive of this decision - players should be looking to play at the highest level possible. It will be similar to Ivan Toney - he won't be in the England squad as long as he plays in Saudi.

[Sutekh]

Steven Bergwijn not very happy - after Ronald Koeman publicly ended his international career following his move to Saudi Arabia.

“The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... udi-arabia

I'm supportive of this decision - players should be looking to play at the highest level possible. It will be similar to Ivan Toney - he won't be in the England squad as long as he plays in Saudi.

But then he and his family will be laughing all the way to the bank for the rest of their naturals (unless he's a complete idiot with money of course).

[Clyde1998]

Steven Bergwijn not very happy - after Ronald Koeman publicly ended his international career following his move to Saudi Arabia.

“The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... udi-arabia

I'm supportive of this decision - players should be looking to play at the highest level possible. It will be similar to Ivan Toney - he won't be in the England squad as long as he plays in Saudi.

But then he and his family will be laughing all the way to the bank for the rest of their naturals (unless he's a complete idiot with money of course).

Sure. He's trading away footballing experiences (and possibly development as a player) for money coming from a much weaker footballing environment than he's able to play in.

It's his decision though and shouldn't complain when it impacts his ability to play international football.

[South Coast Royal]

Steven Bergwijn not very happy - after Ronald Koeman publicly ended his international career following his move to Saudi Arabia.

“The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... udi-arabia

I'm supportive of this decision - players should be looking to play at the highest level possible. It will be similar to Ivan Toney - he won't be in the England squad as long as he plays in Saudi.

But then he and his family will be laughing all the way to the bank for the rest of their naturals (unless he's a complete idiot with money of course).

I wouldn't bet on it but I expect he might.

[Sutekh]

Has this Nations League thing been fiddled with? Last time around England played games in a group against 3 other sides, now they seem to be in a group of 8 or so including France and Italy. Anyone know what's going on?

[Clyde1998]

Has this Nations League thing been fiddled with? Last time around England played games in a group against 3 other sides, now they seem to be in a group of 8 or so including France and Italy. Anyone know what's going on?

Same format at this stage - England are in a group with Ireland; Finland and Greece.

The changes are promotion and relegation play-offs for sides finishing second and third (ie. third in League A will play a play-off against second in League B in a two-legged tie) and a quarter-final being introduced (top two in League A - group winners play runners-up in a two-legged contest before the same finals format as previously)

[Sutekh]

Has this Nations League thing been fiddled with? Last time around England played games in a group against 3 other sides, now they seem to be in a group of 8 or so including France and Italy. Anyone know what's going on?

Same format at this stage - England are in a group with Ireland; Finland and Greece.

The changes are promotion and relegation play-offs for sides finishing second and third (ie. third in League A will play a play-off against second in League B in a two-legged tie) and a quarter-final being introduced (top two in League A - group winners play runners-up in a two-legged contest before the same finals format as previously)

[Clyde1998]

I've got Gibraltar vs Liechtenstein on; Gibraltar have scored directly from a corner.

EDIT: https://x.com/GoalsXtra/status/1832813332207751654

[LUX]

Liechtenstein now on a run of 40 games without a win (5 draws in that run). Their last win was a 2-1 victory in Luxembourg on 7 October 2020.

Grrr

Anyway, I am off to Lux v Bielorussia on Sunday.

Lost one nil. Should have been two up at half time. Terrible in the second half.

[Royal Rother]

Ronaldo is so shit these days it’s enjoyable.

Ah. VVanker.

[LUX]

RR just did a jinx.

[Orion1871]

[Ascotexgunner]

I've watched Wales at some depressing venues but this is right up there. Though Montenegro is a lovely country I understand.

Most of the conference league grounds hold more.

GTFI by the way.......30 seconds......and again.....what a strike......

[Stranded]

I like the Nations League.

Though I mainly watch the games involving the minnows - as I'm cool like that.

[LUX]

you'd have loved Luxembourg v Bielorussia, then.

(It was terrible).