World cup thoughts

A few years ago, one of said they loved my blogs because of orchids, churches and always a disappointing football match.

And upon reflection, I guess this is right. Either Norwich or England, getting so far, or just not winning at all, and always there's the hope that keeps the fans believing against reality or even facts that somehow the 11 overpaid darlings into whom we put all our hopes and dreams into, will somehow emerge triumphant against all the odds.

For England this is has been true in 2010 and 2014; the players would leave and we dared to dream, that this year, finally, would be ours. And we might struggle to get out of the group and then fall to the first half decent team we are put up against. 2010 it was Germany, and in 2014 it was all three teams we played! We even failed to beat Costa Rica reserves in a dead rubber.

So, the once upon a time we would wave the team goodbye as they jetted off to the tournament hoping they would get to the quarters, maye semi finals. But now are expectations are so low it almost that we don't hardly notice them leaving.

So this year, there were two pre-tournament friendlies, I can't remember who we played, or the results, but I did watch them, and apparently wiped the memory from my mind.

And then came 2018.

England, apart from 1982, managed to lose or fail to win their first game meaning that the two remaining group games were "must wins", thus piling on the pressure.

But not this year.

England won their first two games, and had already qualified before the third game, a dead rubber against Belgium to see who would win the group. The game played out by two reserve teams, Belgium running out 1-0 winners. But meant England had got the lower half of the draw which was supposed to be easier.

But Germany were knocked out in the group stages. The in the round of 16: Portugal, Argentina, Spain, Mexico and Switzerland were knocked out, and then in the other quarters, Uruguay Russia, Brazil were knocked out, meaning if England were to win against Sweden, then there was a big chance England could go all the way.

Now, as I write this, England won 2-0 against Sweden, a romp in the park for the three lions, and so a semi final against Croatia awaits.

This has been a wonderful world cup, a load of upsets, 150 goals, action, VAR, and lots of shots of fans crying; what's not to like?

And England can pass, have the leading scorer in the finals, a goalkeeper who has found the form of his life, and the country parties in hot, glorious sunshine.

Not disappointing, but the thought that in a week it will be all over, and England could yet do it.