The world cup

We have been thinking about downsizing but the thought of just one living room has put me off. At the moment one of us can go and watch tv in the conservatory. Just imagine not being able to get away from sport. I would have to kill him!

Anyone else watching France v Australia? I'm sure France will win but I'm supporting Australia because their captain plays for the team I follow, Aston Villa

Sorry to join this thread late as I did not realise it was here.

Me and my other half have thoroughly enjoyed the tournament so far. The Spain versus Portugal game last night was truly " something else" and anyone who could not enjoy a sporting spectacle such as that, surely cannot know what enjoyment is.

Portugal and Spain are two great teams and both will go far in this tournament I am sure. However, I believe with the talent in the England team this time around we will have no problems whatsoever in overcoming them.

I was rooting for Portugal ??. Simply because I have a Portuguese friend. I’m not football mad but it was such an exciting game that I forgot to turn over to watch my evening treat of George Clooney in the re runs of E R. Every four years my son gets all nostalgic and talks to me, his family and anyone who’ll listen about How as a boy he would have a sticker book and wall charts in the lead up to the World Cup and before a big match I’d take him to the local co-op and buy cola, sweets and crisps and we’d sit together and watch the game. I think he remembers it mostly because apart from Christmas it was the only time I allowed him to have junk food! (I was a mean mummy!) Its obviously an abiding fond memory. I’m thrilled that I’ve given him that to hold onto. Perhaps long after I’m gone he will recall the memory and tell his own grandchildren the same story.
I hope lots of similar lovely memories will be made for all of you and your families over the next few weeks while you watch the beautiful game. Ps wouldn’t it be fabulous if all the games were as exciting as last nights Spain v Portugal. Come on ???????

France v Australia match turned into something else with two penalties in five minutes.

One each.

Exhausted after trying hard to get the Aussies another goal. They did very well though against the overrated French. Depends now on future fixtures.

Re; the Russia v Saudi game. I was intrigued to see President Putin appear to show some compassion towards his Sultan neighbour in the stands when Russia scored their second goal, or maybe it was their third. I can't lip-read Russian, but he might have been saying "Sorry about that, Your Royal Highness"
Come to ,think of it, I wonder what language they would converse in,? I can't remember hearing the President speak English, but I should think the Sultan would speak it flawlessly.
I don't think the Saudi team will be brave enough to go home, but I wouldn't fancy their chances of getting political asylum in Russia! They probably could in OZ.
After the loss to France I changed TV channels to find that Ireland had beaten OZ at rugby union, changed channels again to find the covers on the wicket at Cardiff.! No play! Does it never stop raining in Wales?
Good Health

Not sure what your programmes are like in Oz Riufus but tv in NZ is pretty dire , so be careful what you wish for gillybob and Hilda
Australian tv consists of adverts interrupted by occasional programmes BlueBelle; you can start watching something at 9pm then lose the will to see it through to the end by about 11.30pm, whereas on BBC it would have taken an hour.
And many of the adverts are local ones made by local business people, just dire, not slick ones as in the UK.

Surely they don't interrupt the football with adverts though, Rufus?

I wasn't going to bother once the Italians didn't qualify but the Spain/Portugal match was very enjoyable (and it had Italian referees )

Am not a footie fan at all, but due to Mr Lemongrove’s enthusiasm, did watch a bit of the Spain V Portugal match.
I was rooting for Portugal, we like Madeira and Portuguese
Custard tarts and that seemed a good enough reason.

France 2, Australia 1, oh dear, never mind

Are you sitting comfortably ?

Peru v Denmark here we go.

The first time these teams have ever met .

The Peruvians sang their national anthem with so much pride !

I like Peru's national anthem.

Nice and jolly.

Oh dear dear the pressure on the player!

Well I’m gutted for Peru . They were by far the best team on the pitch . What a shame they missed that penalty .

Australian tv consists of adverts interrupted by occasional programmes

Jalima1108 and BlueBelle; You're wandering a bit off topic, or are you simply trying to pick a fight?
Don't forget I'm a fragile OAP who wouldn't hurt a fly, apart from the Aussie bush type anyway.
And from what eras are you both quoting?
The broadcasting regs. have been tightened up considerably over the years, although I can't speak for NZ.
Remember,we also don't pay any TV licence fees so I guess beggars can't be choosers, unlike in Britain where your £25 annual fee probably gives you the right to specify what progs and ads must be shown.
Blow it! I've forgotten. The Forum police will soon be "fingering" my collar, as they say, for preaching/patronising again!
I'd best be off to get my bowl of soup (hot) whilst I can!

Good Health and enjoy uninterrupted viewing.

France 2, Australia 1, oh dear, never mind

Jalima; Had you got your tongue in your cheek when you posted?
I thought I could detect crocodile tears!
Never mind, even though you all didn't boo the French loudly enough, being a gentleman I'll keep my word as promised and cheer the Poms tomorrow.

Good Health and good ad-free viewing.

Surely they don't interrupt the football with adverts though, Rufus?
That's a very good question Bluebelle, as any patronising politician would say.
You're partly right. We have one channel which is a hybrid Govt., started off ad-free, and then was later allowed to accept ads, but being partly Govt, funded is under more control; number of ads, frequency etc.
Saves the Govt. some money.
Fortunately this channel has become the "soccer channel" and is showing the World Cup ad-free, except for half- time of course.
EPL games are shown in full ad-free on this channel which is also free-to-air. "Live" rugby is on commercial channels, mostly ad-free, but the odd one out is cricket, on a commercial channel, where they stick an ad in at the end of each over.
And BTW, ads are not "local". Many are from overseas and are probably the same slick ones that you watch!

Anyway, here endeth the lesson, now that you know as much, or as little, about our TV as me.
You've had to endure this because our weather has been crook all day, (it's now nearly tea-time), so I've not felt guilty at all, tapping away at the computer.
Sorry about that!
Good Health and may the best team win.

It’s £150.50 per year for a TV licence here in the UK Rufus2 yikes !

It’s all the jabbering on by “experts” before the game and at the end that bugs me. Obviously they have a half time gap to fill.

The best team doesn’t always win though sadly or poor Peru would have won easily yesterday. They missed a penalty mind you.

Looking forward to England’s first game tomorrow (Monday) will be watching with my grandson.

Jalima; Had you got your tongue in your cheek when you posted?
No Rufus most definitely not!

the 'oh dear, never mind' was because it's early days yet.
However, England first, Australia second in order of priority!

And from what eras are you both quoting?
Only last year; started watching something at about 9, gave up and went to bed at 11.35 before it had finished.
The best idea is to record everything and watch later.

And BTW, ads are not "local".
some are! and very cheesy they are too.

We had the same impression of TV down under, Jalima, cheesy ads and all. Three years ago in our case.

We've a lot to be thankful for, licence fee or not, imho. Others will disagree of course.

On the subject of football and maybe footballers, I thought some of you might like this cartoon

Yes the BBC and ITV are doing a great job with the coverage of the World Cup. Anyone who objects to paying the TV licence fee should travel to America and watch there totaly unregulated TV channels.

With sport they actually stop play to allow the Commercials to be screened and all other programs stop every few minutes for adverts, it is complete and utter junk.

For me the licence fee is great value for all the BBC brings to us by way of IPlayer, sport, drama, natural history, current affairs to name but a few.

Great stuff BBC and keep up making the British viewing public the envy of the world.