310 replies to this topic

[mistermagic]

Reading the papers this week Israel actually have a more than decent home record. They have lost just once since 1999 and that includes hosting France, Italy and England. Can they avoid defeat to keep England in the driving seat on Saturday?

The good news is the last time England needed a favour from another nation they got it. It was to reach the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, we had just draw in Warsaw, Poland but needed the Poles to lose in Sweden (who had qualified a long time before). Sweden won 2-0 and England went one to play the play-offs against Scotland (which they duly won it goes without saying).
The bad news is that England put out one of the worst performances ever, finished 3rd behind Portugal and Romania, did finish in front of the Germans which was good.

Thoughts, predictions, pre and post match comments in here please.

[john-bcfc]

Come on Israel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tophat]

Israel missing their best player , probably as an overflow on the inability to have key players available due to injury for games of great import to england :0

Edited by tophat, 14 November 2007 - 03:40 PM.

[Duncan]

So, for 90 minutes on Saturday, I will support a national team of a country that, had it been 'down to me' wouldn't exist. The Israelis home record is rather good, and they are one of only two teams (the other being England) to score against Russia. I think they will draw here:
Israel 0-0 Russia.

[Scipio]

Will be very difficult for Russia to get a win, even though Israel is basically out already. Everyone is saying that England are out; but they aren't.

I do think Russia will win though, but just barely.


Israel - Russia 0-1

[allouso]

Gonna be a tough one, i think Russia will win it though.

Not sure if i want England to qualify or not.

[BeatingBlues]

I cant believe England have got themselves into this predicament. From the British Empire to relying on Israel beating Russia. My how times change. I hope Russia win 10-0.

[Oldhamtillidie]

I take it this is on sky? and will be on in most pubs that show games?

[sg_]

Hopefully Russia win. It will be worth it just to see the reactions in the newspapers and tv channels.

I take it this is on sky?

Yea its on sky sports 1 i think.

Edited by sg_, 14 November 2007 - 08:43 PM.

[mnb098mnb]

Reading the papers this week Israel actually have a more than decent home record.

I heard this a long while back but it was barely mentioned during the run up to England's game in Israel.

Interesting now that it's all we hear from the press.

[anaconda]

I personaly think that Russia will beat Israel this weekend 2-1, ending Englands slim hope's of ever going to Euro 2008 next summer?

[Terry]

Israel 0 - 0 Russia.

You can do it Israel!

[mistermagic]

All my Israel-supporting friends are quite clear on this: they will not lose at home to Russia. Here's hoping they are right.

[HypnoToad]

Abramovich has said he will play £100,000 to each member of the Russian team if they qualify tomorrow, whilst another lad (I heard it being said on Sky Sports News when I was in the kitchen - unfortunately didn't hear who it was) said he will personally buy the Israeli to score the winner tomorrow a brand new Mercedes and deliver the car keys to the player in person.

There's a lot riding on the match tomorrow it seems, not just 3 points.

Edited by HypnoToad, 15 November 2007 - 03:20 PM.

[shedend1]

Come on Israel, good enough for a point. Will be a fair old cheer in a few pubs should Israel score, 1-1.

[Jax]

I hope Russia win.

[allouso]

I hope Russia win.

...so that England can bounce back in the next WC?

[ronald.]

Vladimir Putin is a clever man.He exaclty knows what Israel needs:
free caviar , missiles/weapon technology, money. I think these are the items
he will offer them. Conclusion Easy win for Russia.

[Jax]

...so that England can bounce back in the next WC?

Sort of.

So McClaren gets the boot and we don't have loads of hype ahead of the Croatia game in which we will most probably choke again and have another Groundhog Day on here and in the media.

[taison]

I dont think that it will be easy win for Russia.Russia will have a problems but they will win.There are a lot of russians who are livingin Israel.

[BlueSmudge]

I heard this a long while back but it was barely mentioned during the run up to England's game in Israel.

Interesting now that it's all we hear from the press.

Ditto Russia's brilliant home record, one competitive defeat in 11 years, only 9 draws I think it was, yet the way the press went on, a win in Russia was almost a formality.

[Tuonela26]

forzzia russia
waiting for another surprise after eurobasket in spain...
why not?

[Mr. E]

I heard that in the last minute the assigned referee for this game has been removed for undisclosed reasons and replaced by an Italian by UEFA.

Just, you know...sharing.

[MacZidane]

Obviously, having a fondness for Smirnoff means I will be backing the Russians to win this one. No other reason.

[HypnoToad]

Oooohhh, an exciting day of football ahead for the home nations!

[Anthammer]

Ditto Russia's brilliant home record, one competitive defeat in 11 years, only 9 draws I think it was, yet the way the press went on, a win in Russia was almost a formality.

Dont think that was quite the case, most decent papers said it would be tough to win in Russia.

Israel will not lose this, Russias away record is poor, Israels home record is very good.

Shame on the England fans wanting Russia to win this.

[HypnoToad]

Macca put you in the Dudu

ISRAEL have told England: Don’t count on us getting you out of the Dudu.

Keeper Dudu Aouate reckons Three Lions boss Steve McClaren has only himself to blame for getting it all wrong in qualifying.

Macca’s hopes of keeping his £2.5million-a-year job rests on Israel stopping Russia winning to keep England in Euro 2008.

But Israel captain Dudu, 30, said: “People are trying to add more spice and colour to this game.

"It is clear the English don’t trust us. They had their future in their own hands but let it go.”

Dudu added: “When they played Russia they were in charge of their own destiny.

“If they had won then this game would not be interesting for them.

"The English should have sorted this for themselves.

"They are a big enough nation to be in the finals without needing any favours from us.

“I’m not interested in being a national hero in England. I am a professional and only do my job for my own country.”

LoL, the Dudu. Anyway, looking forward to when this match kicks off.

[Forever Gold]

I'm split 50/50 with this.

In a way i want Russia to win this and then qualify so we can get rid of the muppet McLaren but i just know that if we don't qualify i'll find Euro2008 boring and it'll be weird, just like in the World Cup '94, without us taking part.

So, i think i'll still be rooting for Israel. Whether they can stop Russia winning, i'm not too sure, so i'll say 1-1.

[kidou]

I'm hoping Russia thump Israel. If England have to rely on other teams to get them through its a joke. England are better than that and if its the case don't deserve to go through. What would be even funnier is if Israel stuff Russia then Croatia Beat England. That would be the final piss take in Mclaren's reign as manager. Goodbye Mclaren Can we have a manager that's actually won something in his career???

[TomCFC]

Will be very painful this, cant see Russia not winning. Ahh well..its what we deserve.

[The Accrington Fisherman]

Israel have 9 uncapped players in their squad

[HypnoToad]

Israel have 9 uncapped players in their squad

There were rumours that they might do this.

Let's see the squad, or first eleven that they pick before the match though.

[BeatingBlues]

In all seriousness, Israel do not owe England anything. Whereas there is around 1 million Russians living in Israel, so they will have more reason to put out a second string team than go for the win. I just cant see Israel getting anything from this.

[Mustard]

Israel drew in Russia. Lets hope nothing stops them drawing, or doing better, today.


But if Israel do lose, there is a plus in 'Bye Bye McClaren..'

Edited by Mustard, 17 November 2007 - 03:18 PM.

[The Accrington Fisherman]

Israel drew in Russia. Lets hope nothing stops them drawing, or doing better, today.


But if Israel do lose, there is a plus in 'Bye Bye McClaren..'

you reckon they will spare him the barracking if russia win and let him go right away ?

Can you imagine him walking out on Weds at Wemberleeee they will chew him alive

[Espero Que]

I don't see why so many England fans are being so negative. I think any other game people would be predicting Israel for this or at least a draw. Israel aren't pushovers by any means and if it wasn't for a much worse goal difference two wins in their last two games would give them a chance of qualifying. I think if their is still something for England to play for on Wednesday, then they can definitely do what is required, I don't think theyd blow it then after theyd been given a gift of God on Saturday. If Israel hold them to a draw that'll still give England hope. Israel are a good side at home, Israel would be expecting at least a draw for their own dignity at least I reckon, which is more than possible. As much as I don't really care for England, I wouldn't like to not see them at Euro 2008, it just wouldn't be the same.

[Lord Randy Villan]

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

1-0 to the Israelis!

[Mr Billy]

GET IN

[Ste]

Alan Mullery going off his títs.

Israel 1 - 0 Russia

[HypnoToad]

Hahaha, Steve McLaren is smiling!