Ha. 1-0. More or less guaranteed once I’d opened my big cake hole.

Eng v Swe

It’s like Tottenham v Newport at Wembley

Sweden are garbage, how they've got this far I'll never know.

Any reason been given why England are wearing an all red (could be Wales) kit?

I have a feeling it is down to the psychological benefit of playing sports in that colour.

Ugh. This has been a wretched game, though I enjoyed Maguire’s goal.

The commentators furiously winking themselves senseless over the result is getting me down too.

Yes. I looked for an alternative commentary but couldn't find one.

Sweden were poor. Once or twice they had a good moment but it wasn't sustained and they fell back on defence again.

There's nothing much to stop England getting to the final now.

If you read this thread I said that in a World Cup if England were in it there were 31 teams I could support. Anyone who seriously wants to know why I am so often right needs only to recognize two things.

One after Tunisia I said England had a chance. Two after Tunisia I said that England knew how to grind out a result. That's the first thing, I see the world as it is, not as I would like it to be.

Secondly I have the ability to recognize that as the facts change one should change ones mind. I said England were an average side but with one superb player. I was wrong. England are a good team. Not great, but good.

Great to see all the magnanimous comments for a good victory by England

Russia look pretty agricultural. Croatia will be gutted if they blow this.

I clearly don’t know the first thing about football.
1-0 Russia.

Have they got to the ref, I wonder? Very iffy yellow card for Croatia’s Lovren. His crime? Being body-checked.

There is some serious madness going on in the betting world for this World Cup. I think the professional punters will have a field day with the semi's.

France are the favourites over Belgium, 6/4 against 2/1. Really? England are favourites over Croatia as well, 13/10 against 5/2.

What I don't understand is that before the quarters with 8 teams left England were joint second favourites beside France and behind Brazil. Now we are in the semi's, with Brazil gone England are still second favourites behind France now. How do they work that one out? All I can think is that they are responding to the serious money which is going on France.

Triangle’s comment that watching the England v Sweden game was like watching Spurs v County was quite interesting. Imho there have been some very limited teams in this tournament, maybe the County could have qualified ! Certainly I think many English league club sides could have given a very good account of themselves.

pembsexile wrote:There is some serious madness going on in the betting world for this World Cup. I think the professional punters will have a field day with the semi's.

France are the favourites over Belgium, 6/4 against 2/1. Really? England are favourites over Croatia as well, 13/10 against 5/2.

What I don't understand is that before the quarters with 8 teams left England were joint second favourites beside France and behind Brazil. Now we are in the semi's, with Brazil gone England are still second favourites behind France now. How do they work that one out? All I can think is that they are responding to the serious money which is going on France.

Exactly. Bookmakers respond to where the money is being laid. If people bet on France their odds will shorten. Why people place money varies. Professional gamblers try to find a value bet. However on big events people tend to vote on sentiment. Hence England always being amongst the favourites to win tournaments notwithstanding only ever winning one tournament, at home, over fifty years ago.

For what it's worth my view is that England have a chance in this World Cup. As do the other three.

Morning Brendan. Yes I get that bit. The bookies responding to where the money is being laid, i.e. France. Shortening the odds so they don't take a pummelling.

This is the bit I don't understand. Brazil were really short odds favourites and Belgium beat them fair and square. At that time Belgium were the fourth favourites. In my book that makes 'le chips' the ones to beat in this tournament. I could be wrong of course.

I suspect that the professionals will be lumping it on Belgium and laughing at all the punters who may be helping them along the way. For Belgium to be third favourites out of four is ridiculous. As I say, for the professional punters there is serious money to be made. If you like to bet, us mere mortals will just have to accept it.