Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Queens of Europe: Hann and her pride revel in glory
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 02/08/2025
» The public enthusiasm which greeted the victory of England's Lionesses over world champions Spain in the women's Euro 2025 final in Switzerland last Sunday is an indication of just how far the women's game has progressed in recent years. The high standard of football throughout the tournament made it a pleasure to watch.
Southgate makes a wise decision to quit as manager
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 20/07/2024
» Gareth Southgate's resignation as England manager hardly came as a surprise. It was clear that despite reaching the final of Euro 24 all the abuse he received from critics during the tournament had hurt him deeply. After all, he had been England's most successful boss since 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey.
Big day for England's 'lost souls'
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/07/2024
» The Euro 24 quarter-finals are already under way and unbelievably England are somehow still in the mix. Their performances have been so uninspiring they are going into tonight's match against Switzerland as underdogs. This is a team England would be normally be expected to beat comfortably.
A 'strange environment' for Southgate
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 29/06/2024
» England's progress at Euro 24 has a strong soap opera feel to it. They must be one of the few teams ever to top their group at a Euro tournament and still get booed off by their fans and pilloried in the media. To be fair, the fans cheered their team during the game and saved the boos for after the final whistle... all very English.
Tartan Army in good voice, light up Euros
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 22/06/2024
» While Scotland are unlikely to progress too far in Euro 24 they are certainly worth following while they remain in the tournament if only for the wonderful support they get from their travelling fans, the Tartan Army. Adding to the appeal Scotland also have arguably the most tuneful anthem of the tournament in Flower of Scotland.
Stern test for Southgate, team
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 15/06/2024
» The word "pressure" is overused in football but there will be no one under more pressure than England manager Gareth Southgate as he leads the Three Lions into Euro 24 this weekend. England begin their tournament tomorrow against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen and will later face Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
A World Cup like no other with customary build-up missing
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/11/2022
» It is probably fair to say that there has never been a World Cup quite like the one that kicks off in Qatar tomorrow if only for its timing, being played in November and December rather than the regular June and July.
Mixed results for Thai owners of teams in England
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 18/06/2022
» Exciting though the past football season was, it has also served as a reminder for Thai owners that it is definitely not all honey and roses running an English club.
Let's hope Three Lions v Azzurri showdown doesn't go to penalties
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 10/07/2021
» When your team has not been in a football final for 55 years, I suppose a nation is entitled to go a little bonkers when they finally achieve it.
Danish midfielder Eriksen incident puts things into perspective
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/06/2021
» The early stages of the opening round of the Euro 2020 Championships were understandably overshadowed by the dramatic collapse on the pitch by Denmark's Christian Eriksen as he suffered cardiac arrest.