Football

[The Picnic Wasp]

Feyenoord vs Celtic this evening and I fear the worst as Celtic are not in a good place just now. A club in turmoil, with fan dissatisfaction with the board, no permanent manager and a raft of long term injuries to key players.

However, Feyenoord have been my Dutch team ever since I forgave them for the 1970 European Cup final. It was the first football match I can remember being interested in. I was 10 years old and burst into tears at the final whistle. I clearly remember my grandad giving me a stern lecture about life and that if I was ever in great need, Celtic would do nothing for me. I've never forgotten that lesson and it kept me from becoming a paid-up member of that west of Scotland tribal madness.

I love the Feyenoord kit. I have a colour photo of the full squad which featured in a Charlton Athletic match programme of all places. Feyenoord also provided a man called Wim Jansen (RIP) who will never be forgotten in this part of the world for preventing the 10-in-a-row which would have been difficult to take.

Well, we'll see how things unfold quite soon as it's an early kick off. I just hope Nop doesn't have too big a grin tonight.

[Thenop]

Not to worry my friend, we aren't in a great place either. I just hope they show up tonight.
We started the season out alright, winning everything, but then the injuries kicked in. We have 6 fantastic midfielders, and now we are struggling to find 3 as starters.

There was a special kit last year, and it was based on the tunnel that the players walk out of when entering the pitch. Fun fact, the tunnels' painter (he started it about 20 years ago and it is still ongoing) lives just down the street from us and is a friend.

As an aside: I believe Shaqueel van Persie is on the bench tonight, yes the son of. A striker, of course. 

Oh and don't forget: it is the EARLY game, so it's 6.45 for me, so 5.45 for you. Don't want to miss that.

[Thenop]

That was terrible.

End of message

[The Picnic Wasp]

That was terrible.

End of message

Never mind, Nop. You're doing a lot better than Ajax at the moment.

[Thenop]

That was terrible.

End of message

Never mind, Nop. You're doing a lot better than Ajax at the moment.

That is true, and it almost gives me the same satisfaction watching them play. I saw them sink a few days ago, and during the weekend. What a lovely sight to see to those arrogant pr*cks fall from their pedestal.

[Fishy]

Think I'll just check the World Cup draw once the fiasco of it is all over...

[Thenop]

The orange baboon was just awarded a Peace Price that FIFA just introduced a month ago. What a circus, a room full of clowns there.

[Fishy]

The orange baboon was just awarded a Peace Price that FIFA just introduced a month ago. What a circus, a room full of clowns there.

The whole draw programme is just so toe curlingly awful..

[Fishy]

That doesnt bode well for the actual World Cup.. far too many teams.. will be Americanised to hell..it'll just be a fkn awful charade to watch.. and Trump getting an inaugural peace prize..fkn hell.. that FIFA bloke is obviously right in Trumps front of pants.. he needs booted out pronto..

[Thenop]

So we are in with Japan, which is a very strong team, Tunesia, which should be a walk over and the winner of the playoffs between Sweden/Poland/Ukraine/Albania.

In theory we should be able to get through to round 2.

[Fishy]

From all accounts even third place teams can get to the second round.. it's a joke

[Fishy]

Supporters hoping to attend next year's World Cup final face paying vast prices, with tickets in the 'supporter value tier' starting at £3,119 ($4,185).
Fans' group Football Supporters Europe has said it is "astonished" by Fifa's "extortionate" pricing strategy.
The high prices for group games and the final have been leaking out on Thursday as Fifa informs national associations of their allocations.
It means the price of the cheapest ticket for Fifa's showpiece event has increased almost sevenfold compared with the 2022 World Cup. The lowest-priced tickets on open sale in Qatar were £450.
BBC Sport understands tickets for the 'supporters standard tier' are £4,162 ($5,560), compared with £747 in 2022.

World Cup is fucked .. Trump doesn't want you in his country anyway even if you could afford it.. would be good if everyone boycotted it..

[Thenop]

We're playing FCSB (Steaua Bukarest) tonight. Let's see...
C'mon Feyenoord!

[Thenop]

I see Nottingham Forest is playing Utrecht, that curly midfielder - Zechiel - is a loaner from Feyenoord. Good player.

[David L]

Supporters hoping to attend next year's World Cup final face paying vast prices, with tickets in the 'supporter value tier' starting at £3,119 ($4,185).
Fans' group Football Supporters Europe has said it is "astonished" by Fifa's "extortionate" pricing strategy.o
The high prices for group games and the final have been leaking out on Thursday as Fifa informs national associations of their allocations.
It means the price of the cheapest ticket for Fifa's showpiece event has increased almost sevenfold compared with the 2022 World Cup. The lowest-priced tickets on open sale in Qatar were £450.
BBC Sport understands tickets for the 'supporters standard tier' are £4,162 ($5,560), compared with £747 in 2022.

World Cup is fucked .. Trump doesn't want you in his country anyway even if you could afford it.. would be good if everyone boycotted it..

Dynamic pricing. Same strategy as Rush 2026 tour, nothing to do with Trump.