Heroes? I don’t think so.

Not to mention the use of words like ‘heartbreak’ to describe losing a football match. Complete misuse of language.

They seem nice enough young men, and I’m sure they’re disappointed, but that’s about it. It's only kicking a ball. Let’s hope they never find out what heartbreak really means.

The dictionary defination of Heroes.

heroes
1.
a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
"a war hero"
brave man, champion, man of courage, great man, man of the hour, conquering hero, victor, winner, conqueror, lionheart, warrior, paladin, knight, white hat; chevalier
"his father was a war hero"
star, idol, superstar, megastar, celebrity, celebutante, luminary, lion;
ideal, ideal man, paragon, exemplar, shining example,

I see your point- I get annoyed at 'hero' dresses in the fashion pages too.

What a sour thread. Didn't take long did it?

Exactly what H said at breakfast time

But it's true! It's just a game not a life and death situation.

Not sour gilly-I have absolutely no interest in football, haven’t seen a ball kicked in anger, couldn’t care less who wins the cup and have no intention of doing down any nationality. I just feel that editors could have been a little more circumspect in their choice of words in a week where one man has lost his life and many others have faced extreme danger to save the life of others. It just doesn’t sit well with me.

I am not a football fan but have admired the way these young men have worked together as a team to get as far as they have BUT they are not heroes, they are well paid to do something they love. The men who rescued the children from the cave are unpaid volunteers risking their lives to help others - they are real heroes. By all means give the returning footballers a rousing reception but let's keep it in perspective.

What is heroic about kicking a ball and losing a match?

Seems there demands for this football team to be given a hero’s welcome home, they lost, disappointing for their supporters yes, but they did lose.

So the news programs should only cover very serious subjects then Katek nothing upbeat at all. Okay I get it.

Just because a news program covers a happy, good news story it doesn't mean that tragic events around the world are less important. We all deserve a tiny bit of joy in our lives. Crikey knows mine is full of sh*t most days and the football has lifted my spirits.

What did they lose Annie ?

Oh yes the semi final of the WORLD CUP. Not a bloomin' Sunday league game on the local rec.

Yes they lost the semi final gilly, one more match will position them third or fourth , football got lost on its way home

It is quite hard for people with zero interest in football to grasp what all the fuss is about. I am afraid that for me it has all been more than a little OTT.

I'm all for good news - but apparently this was not good news because it seems that they lost the match.

Yes 3rd or 4th IN THE WORLD ! Annie. How can you say that is losing?

I think this conversation is pointless.

I didn’t say that gilly, I’ve no problems with all aspects of news being covered both good and bad. We need a balance. What I object to is the terminology being used. Yes, it’s the World Cup, but not everybody in the world attaches the same level of importance to a football tournament

1st is winning, 3rd or 4th is losing gilly

I think its a vast exaggeration to call them heroes.

It’s still just a game and they still lost the match. Of course they lost, that’s why all the fans are devastated! Winners will be the team that wins the final and comes first.

But you could say that about any sport, well anything at all, to be fair Katek. I have zero interest in Tennis (among other things) but appreciate that others love it. Can't see a problem. Like it or not, this world cup has lifted the spirits for many in the UK , okay before I get my head bit off, England . I am sad that its almost over but I will still watch the play off and the final.

Do you think tennis players are heroes, gilly?

Yes they lost a match . They did not lose the world cup.

I know you are dying for me to say it so......

What is not qualifying then Annie ?

Go gillybob, keep up the defence. If folks have no / zero interest in football, why bother their heads with reading about it. If its on the front page, or the first news item, just don't read/listen. I'm not interested in cricket, or even in Wimbledon. I find it's easy to switch off my ears and interest when it's on the tv or radio and I don't read about it in the newspapers.

Yes its; the World Cup. Football is a sport enjoyed all over the world. These young men, their good coaches and manager have achieved more than any other English football team in 18 years. That's to be celebrated. The other thing to celebrate is the way they sang the National Anthem, their behaviour on and off the pitch. It's brought huge groups together, with a shared excitement and interest. What's not to like.
Come on England, you're coming home to a positive welcome by almost all the country.

These days people use "hero" for all sorts of things. In a cooking show I heard the commentator saying "the hero of this dish is the artichoke". Who'd have thought that a vegetable could be a "hero" ?

hero artichoke!