MarkRD

Sunday, 24th June 20.45, W Europe time

Garbatellamike

I am so happy to be working in an office full of Italians with this game coming up

Mind you they seem to be as pessimistic about their lot as we are about our bunch of no hopers - let's hope we get more friendly officials and are just as lucky

MarkRD

Yeah I love winding them up!
Actually I saw the after-match chit-chat on ITV and they all seemed very happy and optimistic about England .. after all we won the match, came top of the table and got Italy instead of the much-feared Spain.

Garbatellamike

Yeah watched that on RAI too - I sensed that on TV the pundits seemed to feel Italy have the easiest QF they could have got; however, the guys here, mainly tifosi di AS Roma, are definitely thinking more negatively.

Gut feeling is Spain and Germany are much better than either Italy or England.

Pecora Nera

I don't really follow football but I will be shouting for England just to wind the locals up..

duffer

Yeah, I am winding up the locals too! Great fun it is too. They take it so seriously when I tell them their squad is so shite

Patty

me too - cant stand football usually - but when its a game like this I'm going to shout loud for England ( winds my OH up no end )

MarkRD

to everyone ---->

I think we've all learned that there's nothing like winding up the Italians about football!

Alos try telling them their best player is black (yes, still an issue) and plays for an English club!

Pecora Nera

Lorna at Vicenza

An Italian friend wants to bet tomorrow night's dinner on the results of the match.

What are the chances that England wins and I get a free dinner? Or that England loses and I end up paying for his?

Should I accept the bet?

37100

Of course you should! No question! Honestly Lorna, shame on you for even thinking that England might not win.

Lorna at Vicenza

Well I know nothing about football and haven't been following all the games. I know Italy beat Ireland.
Do we have a good, strong team?

Isakat

I just said to DH that I will put the flags on the house, the side of the not nice neighbours and he told me' do not bother, England will lose'.

Garbatellamike

I wouldn't bet, odds too much in his favour. This is the weekest soccer team we have had for years and although Italy aren't great they will be strong favourites. Our goalkeeper is top class so we might get 0-0 draw and win on penaties our other good player looked woefully short of practice and fitness in the last game having been banned for first 2 games. moreover, the right hand side of our defence comprises a full back who doesn't ever defend and the oldest slowest centre back ever to play international football and as for midfield creativity uhmm zero!

Not liking our chances but hope I am wrong as going to be watching it with 1 english mate and 20 Italians

General Tojo

England actually play like an Italian team of the 80s so expect a 0-0 and tie decided by penalties....


More stereotypes here?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...12-stereotypes