What sports teams do you support?

[Arneb]

So Germany have to win two World Cup matches in order to balance our score again. I have a vaguely bad feeling about this, because everyone is so goddam smug about our national side saying we are better than ever and so on, which totally rubs me the wrong way.

So,

Played 175, won 64, drawn 45, lost 66

it is before the World Cup. Let's see how it goes.

Anyone care to predict the CL Final at the end of next week? I am afraid the DDD (Dirty Diving Dago) and his lot, our own Toni Kroos among them, are heavy favourites, but never misunderestimate Jürgen Full Throttle Klopp and his gang in a fighting mood.

[Heid the Ba]

Yep, you just have to win two more than you lose . . .

Dirty Diving Dago -v- Heysel Stadium and the rest of the shite they do. I'd prefer "meteor" myself but I'll take a Real win.

[Lianachan]

Anyone care to predict the CL Final at the end of next week?

[Arneb]

Yep, you just have to win two more than you lose . . .

We usually draw or lose one first round match (the second one, mostly), so the first round plus winning the round of last 16 will probably give us a neutral balance at least.

Important question: Are penalty shootouts draws or wins?

Dirty Diving Dago -v- Heysel Stadium and the rest of the shite they do. I'd prefer "meteor" myself but I'll take a Real win.

Real wins ARE getting a bit old, aren't they. In terms of motivation, I should probably root for Real, as that would give us at least on CL champion in our national squad - but I WANT to see the DDD cry and complain....

For everyone interested, here is our provisional lineup. Jogi will have to strike 4 players off the list by June 4 or something.

Position Spieler Verein
Torwart Manuel Neuer FC Bayern München
Torwart Marc-Andre ter Stegen FC Barcelona
Torwart Bernd Leno Bayer Leverkusen
Torwart Kevin Trapp PSG
Abwehr Jerome Boateng FC Bayern München
Abwehr Matthias Ginter Borussia Mönchengladbach
Abwehr Jonas Hector 1. FC Köln
Abwehr Mats Hummels FC Bayern München
Abwehr Joshua Kimmich FC Bayern München
Abwehr Marvin Plattenhardt Hertha BSC
Abwehr Antonio Rüdiger FC Chelsea
Abwehr Niklas Süle FC Bayern München
Abwehr Jonathan Tah Bayer Leverkusen
Mittelfeld Sami Khedira Juventus Turin
Mittelfeld Julian Draxler PSG
Mittelfeld Leon Goretzka Schalke 04
Mittelfeld Toni Kroos Real Madrid
Mittelfeld Mesut Özil FC Arsenal
Mittelfeld Ilkay Gündogan Manchester City
Mittelfeld Sebastian Rudy FC Bayern München
Angriff Timo Werner RB Leipzig
Angriff Julian Brandt Bayer Leverkusen
Angriff Leroy Sane Manchester City
Angriff Mario Gomez VfB Stuttgart
Angriff Thomas Müller FC Bayern München
Angriff Marco Reus Borussia Dortmund
Angriff Nils Petersen SC Freiburg

[Heid the Ba]

Penalty shoot outs are wins.

[Lianachan]

"We're Rangers, the same Rangers as we've always been since 1872. Oh, wait, no, we're not THAT Rangers"

[Heid the Ba]

Of course not.

[Arneb]

OMFFSM that is so vile.

The GDR did something like that to the Jews, by the way. "Oh no, we are the new Germany, the good one, not THAT Germany. We have nothing to do with them and aren't under any obligation to pay off their debts. Just turn to Bonn for that matter".

[Lianachan]

Very early goal in the Scottish Youth Football Association 14's Final last weekend.

Watch on youtube.com

[Arneb]

Bravo, youngling!

Our German season is winding down. We had a very exciting Cup Final, Frankfurt won 3-1 against Bayern and it was such great fun to see the almighty Bayern on the receiving end of disputed ref decisions (twice, and both of them led to goals for the opposition).

Wolfsburg managed not to be relegated to the Second League against Kiel (oh, I know how exciting you'll find that bit of information). Second vs. Tird League relegation playoffs are still under way with Aue having managed a goalless draw in Karlsruhe. Isn't that Earth-shattering?

My fuck-up specialists from Berlin and Fürth are enjoying a not-very-well-deserved holiday, so the count is unchanged until June 17.

[Lianachan]

Our new shirts have just been revealed. Home one is a fucking hideous union jack-y thing that gives me the boke and will never buy or wear.

Spoiler:

[Arneb]

Wow, they got taste, them North British...

[Heid the Ba]

And McEwan Fraser is a scummy firm owned by Ken Fraser, a complete arsehole.

[Lianachan]

And McEwan Fraser is a scummy firm owned by Ken Fraser, a complete arsehole.

Suits the shirt, then.

[Heid the Ba]

Yep, it isn't the best.

[Heid the Ba]

German ‘keepers eh?

[Arneb]

I don't want to talk about it. It must be a virus endemic in Enlgand. On the other hand...

[Lianachan]

German ‘keepers eh?

Saw come clips from that game, including two spectacular 'keeping howlers. I think the second one was probably the funniest.

[Arneb]

Austria 2 - 1 Germany

It was only a test match, so it's not in the count. But it,s always shitty to lose against the Schluchtis (first ime in 32 years), answe played really, really, really shite. And honest, it was not the goalie's fault

[Heid the Ba]

Yeah and our two friendly losses don’t count either . . .

[Arneb]

Let's just pretend nothing ever happened.

[Lianachan]

Normally cricket results are the dullest thing in the universe, and although I don't understand the numbers I did have a wee smile at this one.

[Heid the Ba]

Scotland played well, England were complacent and thought they would win regardless. I laughed.

[Heid the Ba]

Le Mans weekend, I’ll miss the finish tomorrow but I should see most of it.

[Arneb]

Germany 0 - 1 Mexico

at the football World Cup in Russia. Seriously heading for a negative score there.
Played 176, won 64, drawn 45, lost 67