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Today is the day that the Scottish football team need to defeat the World Champions Italy to qualify for the 2008 European Championship Finals.

So far we have beaten France, World Cup runner-up, twice and lead the group for most of the past 12 months. Today is our final game and we have chances to go through to the finals:

• defeat Italy and we are through
• draw with Italy and hope that the Ukrane beat France by more than 7 goals

What has surprised me is the level of excitement that is gripping my home nation right now. Local radio stations are only playing songs by Scottish artists, pubs are decked out in the national flag, TV commentators and news readers are talking about nothing other than what could happen at 6:45pm today. It's like 1978 and the Ally McLeod induced hysteria of the Argentine World Cup all over again. Great expectation and hope in abundance.

The script is written, the beers are in, the kilts are on and everyone is whistling the tune to "I have a dream" - so, what's going to happen?

My prediction - Scotland 1 - 1 Italy (Scotland score early and Italy equalise in last 10 minutes - breaking hearts of my countrymen all over the world )

I really, really, really hope I'm wrong

Derek

Scotland 0-2 aItaly

Sorry. I'd like to see you go through, but my football head says No.

If it's any consolation, England are crashing out too?

Alan

Alan,

I all honesty your prediction is the kinder of the two options. A quick and comprehensive defeat would leave me with a slightly regretfull feeling of "oh well, we had a good run whilst it lasted".

Whereas a slow lingering death and a last minute equaliser giving the possibility of going out on goal difference to the team we have beaten twice will bring on a national depression that could last as long as the one we have been in since Jonny Rep scored from the halfway line to knock us out of the 1978 World Cup despite a 3-2 victory

...and whilst England's impending demise is no consolation, an Israel victory tonight would rub salt in a very open wound



Derek

Just glanced at the odds. When National fervour goes overboard, you can sometimes use your head to beat the field with better-than-normal odds.

Bookies aren't following for that one this time.
Scotland Win 3-1
Draw 2-1
Italy Win Evens

So no bet this time. Me and the Bookies can see through the patriotism.

Even money is a generous stance from the bookies on this one

I'm pleased to report that continuing national hysteria and media propeganda now have me convinced we will win. It's a shame that England won't be in our group in the finals

I am now in an appropriate mental state to watch a Scotland match against big oposition with a critical outcome at stake. If I wasn't this convinced we will win, how on earth could I possibly drop to the depths of despair that are an essential and inevitable consequence of these occassions

Derek

Losing a goal in the first minute wasn't a great idea

It's half time and Italy lead 0-1. 3 or 4 nil to Scotland now seems highly unlikely

Oh well, they won the first half and all we need to do now is win the second half by 2 clear goals. Still possible and not ready to concede defeat yet.

...and their 8 foot tall striker is a big dirty diving *&£??%

Derek

I once watched the tv in resigned failure as we entered extra time in the 99 Champions League Final at the Nou Camp, so strange things happen.

In reality, its going to plan. The Italians have a cutting edge and guile that is different league. Scotland have two quality players. One's in goal, so he cant help you to get the 2 goals, and the other is McFaddon. Scotland should be under instructions to stretch the game, give your all, and give the ball to McFaddon whenever possible.
I unfortunately suspect you better get ready for the second, and then they'll shut up shop.

Derek, get your Russian shirt on.

Alan

T.V. is out to lunch , significant other is gone with the car , left with following the match on the net .
score 1-1 ( after 70 min . ) Dont give up the ship !!

Italy's playing on their heels !!
( 80th min . )

McFadden missed a sitter as well.
Then the Ities missed one as well, but when the dust settled, they pinched a late one, and the Scots were Glorious Failures.

Shall we call the score predictions a Draw? Even though I had the result.

Gutted

You better pray for Russia to do something. I've written England off, but you dont think...

I think I'll celabrate the glorious failure by having an offline with Fred and a few other FTLOP members .
I'm bringing along a Dow '85 (Fred probably a Warres '83 )

Excellent Luc. Are you serious? If you are, remember a camera.

The camera's waiting at the door .
Fred said no peanut butter however

I always suspected Fred was a Man of Taste!

Anyone seen Derek? Can we set up a Suicide Watch?

I got a job with the Samaritans. Wasn't happy though, I tried to go sick and they talked me out of it!

Ing-er-land, Ing-er-land, we'll fly the British Flag Deggsy,

Alan

For more than one reason it seems the answer to the questio that is the title of this thread is NO

No ... oh! You've already spotted that.

Never mind. Console yourself with the fact that now Russia lost to Israel then England's fate is in its own hands and therefore there will be no-one else to blame when Croatia emerge as 0-1 victors after a dour and dismal performance brightened up only by David Beckham's 89'th minute free kick from just outside the box sailing high over the keeper's head.

Anyone been watching the India-Pakistan One Day Series - been some great matches resulting in India winning a series against Pakistan on their own soil for the first time since 1983!

Alex

Derek, so what did you drown you're sorrows in The only good thing is, the Scottish seem to be able to party no matter if they win or lose...at least a couple of Scottish friends here in California are sticking to that theory

I'm missing a post !! Where did It go ?
Surely Scotland didn't take . . . hell they couldn't even find It

ADV wrote:Derek, so what did you drown you're sorrows in The only good thing is, the Scottish seem to be able to party no matter if they win or lose...at least a couple of Scottish friends here in California are sticking to that theory

Hmm, yes, Saturday night was quite good fun. Does anyone know what happened to Sunday? I can't remember there being on ethis week and all of a sudden I'm on a train to work on Monday morning



Derek