Greece

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team? Even in war torn countries like Syria and Iraq, the whole country unites around the team when they play. Famously, Drogba and Cote d’Ivorie made an entire country stop fighting a civil war. It shows that despite all those differences, the country unites behind the team. Besides, there’s a ton of Northern lads on the team nowadays.

Wanting less violence amongst traveling fans is a good thing, but considering Greek fans have notoriously violent tendencies, especially in the Balkans and Turkey, I don’t think they’re much better. Worse, even.

Not too bothered about Greece winning and I’m happy to see them dedicate it to Baldock, but he no doubt supported England too, and would’ve been happy regardless. I just simply can’t understand rooting for another national team if you normally support England. If you don’t usually watch it, fair enough, but is there something I’m missing? Not trying to be rude or anything, just want to know why.

No.
Lots of people don't feel the national side represents how they feel about the country or football for that matter.
Many put club before country. And in this case feel more affiliation towards Greece on this night.
The rest of the stuff is too stereotyped / broad brush to bother answering.

 

[Andy67]

It's safe to assume that Baldock was a fan of both Greece and England so I think he would have been happy with any outcome of tonight's match.

He would play for England but they didn’t recognise it talent. George would say if England had played him tonight they wouldn’t have lost to Greece.

 

[Bartleby]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team? Even in war torn countries like Syria and Iraq, the whole country unites around the team when they play. Famously, Drogba and Cote d’Ivorie made an entire country stop fighting a civil war. It shows that despite all those differences, the country unites behind the team. Besides, there’s a ton of Northern lads on the team nowadays.

Wanting less violence amongst traveling fans is a good thing, but considering Greek fans have notoriously violent tendencies, especially in the Balkans and Turkey, I don’t think they’re much better. Worse, even.

Not too bothered about Greece winning and I’m happy to see them dedicate it to Baldock, but he no doubt supported England too, and would’ve been happy regardless. I just simply can’t understand rooting for another national team if you normally support England. If you don’t usually watch it, fair enough, but is there something I’m missing? Not trying to be rude or anything, just want to know why.

Agree it might seem weird. Bit like pretending you live in another country.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

What pisses me off about England, and has for years, is the quality of players we produce and the lack of quality they show in an England shirt. England have some of the best players in the world, I know debatable, playing against Championship quality players. Shouldn't be a contest yet so often it is. I know the arguments, poor managers, prima donna's etc. But after many years of "this is our year" bs, they play wank against decent opposition and out of the tournament we go. Would love to see England for once just dominate and play with as much passion as some lesser teams play. Years of frustration and some games you just don't care if your country loses to Greece. Just saying.

 

[Bookers boots]

Couldn’t give a shit about England winning. Haven’t been arsed about international football for years. If they were playing in the garden, I’d close the curtains.

You and me both pal!

 

[riselikeasalmon]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team? Even in war torn countries like Syria and Iraq, the whole country unites around the team when they play. Famously, Drogba and Cote d’Ivorie made an entire country stop fighting a civil war. It shows that despite all those differences, the country unites behind the team. Besides, there’s a ton of Northern lads on the team nowadays.

Wanting less violence amongst traveling fans is a good thing, but considering Greek fans have notoriously violent tendencies, especially in the Balkans and Turkey, I don’t think they’re much better. Worse, even.

Not too bothered about Greece winning and I’m happy to see them dedicate it to Baldock, but he no doubt supported England too, and would’ve been happy regardless. I just simply can’t understand rooting for another national team if you normally support England. If you don’t usually watch it, fair enough, but is there something I’m missing? Not trying to be rude or anything, just want to know why.

For me what you are missing is that the Greek team show their affinity to Gorgeous George (my wife’s description, not mine …) more than the England team.

George bought into us as a fan and personified the Wilder rise, I support him and everyone who loves him

 

[Blade45]

No.
Lots of people don't feel the national side represents how they feel about the country or football for that matter.
Many put club before country. And in this case feel more affiliation towards Greece on this night.
The rest of the stuff is too stereotyped / broad brush to bother answering.

Unless explicitly political, I’m not too sure how a national team can represent how people feel about the country. Seems like the job of politicians more than anything, expecting that of footballers doesn’t make much sense to me. I’ve admittedly never lived in the UK, so that could be why I don’t see your perspective, but I don’t think nor expect the US national team to represent how I personally feel about a variety of things. Their job is to play football, and ideally the country falls in line behind them to show their support.

 

[Stockholm syndrom]

A) it's only the Nations League
B) it'd be a lovely thing for Greece to do in the face of adversity

It’s a Blade thing

 

[The Bear]

What a great win for 'Georgi' tonight by Greece. The Greek players definitely did it for George Baldock tonight. I was urging them on. I thought Bellingham had buggered it up but Pavlidis salvaged it.

They gave a tremendous amount of respect for George unlike ITV whose best was drag Ian Wright to drag crap out about MK Dons and Karl Robinson. Anyway a great result and dedicated to one of the finest defenders ever to play for us.

 

[Antarctic Monkey]

Greece scored about 8, would lobed to have seen Starman on pitch, he'll have been watching...

 

[Blade45]

For me what you are missing is that the Greek team show their affinity to Gorgeous George (my wife’s description, not mine …) more than the England team.

George bought into us as a fan and personified the Wilder rise, I identify with him and everyone who loves him

He was a very handsome man, and I certainly have personal affinity towards him, but I just personally found it surprising. Not trying to get into a long argument so I’ll leave it here, and I appreciate the Greek teams gesture of love towards him.

 

[Booker4]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team? Even in war torn countries like Syria and Iraq, the whole country unites around the team when they play. Famously, Drogba and Cote d’Ivorie made an entire country stop fighting a civil war. It shows that despite all those differences, the country unites behind the team. Besides, there’s a ton of Northern lads on the team nowadays.

Wanting less violence amongst traveling fans is a good thing, but considering Greek fans have notoriously violent tendencies, especially in the Balkans and Turkey, I don’t think they’re much better. Worse, even.

Not too bothered about Greece winning and I’m happy to see them dedicate it to Baldock, but he no doubt supported England too, and would’ve been happy regardless. I just simply can’t understand rooting for another national team if you normally support England. If you don’t usually watch it, fair enough, but is there something I’m missing? Not trying to be rude or anything, just want to know why.

Tonight I wanted Greece to win for George. I'm not ashamed to be English or owt, there's so much to like about the UK, but of all the nations that make up the UK, I'd say I relate the least to being English if honest. I didn't chose to be English either.

I feel northern far more over English. Just how I feel. Yes there's plenty of northern lads in the team but I just don't get excited following England, not at all like it is following united.
Following united - the underdog - really hits home with me. Supporting England just doesn't resonate with me for the reasons I said previously.

Partly, in fairness to England, because of the quality of the team the matches are largely boring and we should win the vast majority. For Scotland, Wales or Ireland fans every international is a bigger occasion because qualification is far from guaranteed. You're right that supporting a country can bring a country together. I've not seen that yet, obviously we've not win anything recently.

To be honest if you asked me if I had a choice of united winning promotion or England winning a world cup I'd go united promotion every time, let alone us winning something.

I dont generally support the opposition as such, tonight was a one off due to George.

I'm proud to be British, over English these days. I hope the above explains it, if not, I've done my best to explain it!

 

[Blade45]

Tonight I wanted Greece to win for George. I'm not ashamed to be English or owt, there's so much to like about the UK, but of all the nations that make up the UK, I'd say I relate the least to being English if honest. I didn't chose to be English either.

I feel northern far more over English. Just how I feel. Yes there's plenty of northern lads in the team but I just don't get excited following England, not at all like it is following united.
Following united - the underdog - really hits home with me. Supporting England just doesn't resonate with me for the reasons I said previously.

Partly, in fairness to England, because of the quality of the team the matches are largely boring and we should win the vast majority. For Scotland, Wales or Ireland fans every international is a bigger occasion because qualification is far from guaranteed. You're right that supporting a country can bring a country together. I've not seen that yet, obviously we've not win anything recently.

To be honest if you asked me if I had a choice of united winning promotion or England winning a world cup I'd go united promotion every time, let alone us winning something.

I dont generally support the opposition as such, tonight was a one off due to George.

I'm proud to be British, over English these days. I hope the above explains it, if not, I've done my best to explain it!

Fair enough, I’ll leave it here. I understand your reasoning.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Unless explicitly political, I’m not too sure how a national team can represent how people feel about the country. Seems like the job of politicians more than anything, expecting that of footballers doesn’t make much sense to me. I’ve admittedly never lived in the UK, so that could be why I don’t see your perspective, but I don’t think nor expect the US national team to represent how I personally feel about a variety of things. Their job is to play football, and ideally the country falls in line behind them to show their support.

It's not to do with politics.
I can't be bothered tonight mate. I'm glad Greece won, for a guy we all felt a lot about. Tonight that was more important for some people.
Doesn't make one right or the other. It's peoples personal emotions.

 

[Blade45]

It's not to do with politics.
I can't be bothered tonight mate. I'm glad Greece won, for a guy we all felt a lot about. Tonight that was more important for some people.
Doesn't make one right or the other. It's peoples personal emotions.

I’ll leave it here pal, enjoy your night!

 

[Half Bond Jls]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team? Even in war torn countries like Syria and Iraq, the whole country unites around the team when they play. Famously, Drogba and Cote d’Ivorie made an entire country stop fighting a civil war. It shows that despite all those differences, the country unites behind the team. Besides, there’s a ton of Northern lads on the team nowadays.

Wanting less violence amongst traveling fans is a good thing, but considering Greek fans have notoriously violent tendencies, especially in the Balkans and Turkey, I don’t think they’re much better. Worse, even.

Not too bothered about Greece winning and I’m happy to see them dedicate it to Baldock, but he no doubt supported England too, and would’ve been happy regardless. I just simply can’t understand rooting for another national team if you normally support England. If you don’t usually watch it, fair enough, but is there something I’m missing? Not trying to be rude or anything, just want to know why.

If any other team would have beaten England tonight I'd be pissed off. A great set of players at the minute. I'm still reeling from the death of George and just thought it was nice for the Greeks to do this tonight and celebrate it for him.

 

[toledo]

Taking the obvious emotion out of the game... why, why, why do clubs and England play across the back, back to the keeper, across the back, back to the keeper, and its 2 minutes to go and we are down 2-1... I simply don't get this stupid way of playing a 'controlled' game... it happened all the game.

Ans its time Pickford was demoted... get a better keeper into the net.

toledo

 

[Bladey_blade]

Taking the obvious emotion out of the game... why, why, why do clubs and England play across the back, back to the keeper, across the back, back to the keeper, and its 2 minutes to go and we are down 2-1... I simply don't get this stupid way of playing a 'controlled' game... it happened all the game.

Ans its time Pickford was demoted... get a better keeper into the net.

toledo

I know a guy

 

[Jinxy1966]

The game meant more to the Greek players overall, epitomised by the tributes to George after their goals & by the Greek lad interviewed on ITV after the game. George obviously meant more to them than the majority of the England lads & in the big scheme of things I’m happy that the game panned out as it did. Greece winning offered a far better tribute to a good lad lost too soon than a meaningless England win could ever have done. RIP Furious George…..a great player, a great role model & a great human being

 

[sitwell]

That wasn't the point my point was as an English person my allegiance lies with England, and as a united fan my allegiance lies with united , so whilst yesterdays events are tragic , it doesn't make me want Greece to beat England in the same way it wouldn't make me want panathinaikos to beat united, so I was genuinely interested as to someone elses opinion

Im a Blade by choice, I just happened to be born in England, not my choice. I havent supported England since Alan Woodward wasnt picked and the only time I will is when we play someone I dislike more , like France or Scotland.

 

[andy m]

He would play for England but they didn’t recognise it talent. George would say if England had played him tonight they wouldn’t have lost to Greece.

George would have defended a damn sight better than TAA.

 

[Large Mendonca]

For this game only, I wanted Greece to win. I’m a Blade and don’t particularly care what England do to be honest, not anymore. Overpaid wankers the most of them.

 

[Slim Man]

Definitely just you weirdo

No it’s not. Fuck it. Forza Greece.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Im a Blade by choice, I just happened to be born in England, not my choice. I havent supported England since Alan Woodward wasnt picked and the only time I will is when we play someone I dislike more , like France or Scotland.

That's not supporting England though is it?

That's wanting them to win. Big difference.

Basically, we're where we usually are.

Lots of people who don't support England don't particularly mind who wins.

But, England supporters want England to win. Obvs.

 

[FTPE]

I've never wanted England to lose.
Ever.
Today however, I wanted Greece to win.
That's for you Starman ️
Bet, he'd like us to hammer Leeds as well..

 

[AWetFlannel]

Taking the obvious emotion out of the game... why, why, why do clubs and England play across the back, back to the keeper, across the back, back to the keeper, and its 2 minutes to go and we are down 2-1... I simply don't get this stupid way of playing a 'controlled' game... it happened all the game.

Ans its time Pickford was demoted... get a better keeper into the net.

toledo

A bloke called Pep did it and won everything in Spain, Germany and England, proving it's the most effective style of play atm.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

 

[wak1889]

Im a Blade by choice, I just happened to be born in England, not my choice. I havent supported England since Alan Woodward wasnt picked and the only time I will is when we play someone I dislike more , like France or Scotland.

Fair enough but an ex player passing away in tragic circumstances still wouldn't make me want a positive result for a team I have absolutely no allegiance to whatsoever ahead of my own countries national team but each to their own that's what makes us fans unique I suppose

 

[Houston_Blade]

Isn’t the point of a national team that it’s supposed to be national, unite the whole country behind one team?

It depends, when we had Lampard, Gerrard and Terry in the team I really disliked England and what the players stood for.

Apart from that period I’ve wanted them to do well. I wouldn’t consider myself an England supporter by any means and I wouldn’t make the effort to go and see them unless it was cheap and easy. I cheer from my armchair when they score in tournaments though.

 

[Bladesman101]

I don’t care for this England team, full of really unlikeable players. Pickford, Trent, Rice, Palmer, Gordon, Jones and even Bellingham now thinks he’s a big shot. There’s a real sense of entitlement pouring from them in my opinion, which is confusing as they’ve done absolutely nothing, regardless of how many ‘wonderful nights they’ve given the country’ … give me a break.

Greece, on the other hand, produced the greatest tribute I’ve ever seen a team do for a player. They were clearly deeply hurt by the loss of Baldock and dedicated every pass, tackle and goal towards him. Remember Baldock was English, and only started to represent Greece later in his career, and they showed tonight what a great man he was, to have such an impact on a team in such a short space of time.

I’ve got to a point where I don’t just blindly want England to do well, regardless of who plays, I need to actually like the players in the shirt, and when I see them rolling round like babies every time they’re touched because it works in the prem, I just cringe.

Get in Greece, quality win!