Niels

The men usually ease off once it becomes one sided. For example Liverpool v Man utd when it was 5-0 against 10 men is a recent example. I just don't think there is any need to embarrass an opponent in this manner. It shows a lack of class to me.

I don't know why they didn't do this. Usually they never have a free draw and have changed their rules in the past. Your idea was sensible. It was a terrible draw for me. I like Portugal most but have Turkish family so I hoped both would go through. Then the winner of course playing Italy. Though fortunately at home.

Who will be wicketkeeper and captain now? Carey or Wade for keeper? Both would bat at 6 or 7? Captain is tricky? Aaron Finch isn't in the test team, nor, surprisingly for me, Mitch Marsh. Smith or Warner look the best possible captains? But I don't know if they would be considered?

I watch the darts. Michael Van Gerwen is my favourite. I liked him before he was winning all the time and have followed him since he joined the PDC. Fallon did really well last night. Do you like the St Helens lads? I saw Bully boy at one of the games recently?

A terrible result for Norway. They will have to win in Holland now and even then it might not be enough. Portugal v Serbia will be a good game also tomorrow. Hopefully a home win or a draw for me!

I'd be very surprised if there are amateur games in Donetsk. Shaktar Donetsk the champions league football side, havent played there since 2014. They played in Lviv, due to the Russian/Ukrainian war and now play games in Kviv.

The Ukrainian rugby league consisted of two tiers Geographically split. The third tier of Ukrainian football is organised geographically also.

I think this is a good point. These sides are great ambassadors for the game in less obvious areas. Keighley Cougars are aiming to bring both the white and Asian communities together through rugby league. They are also educating about Homophobia. I have copied a link from the Guardian about this if anyone would like to read. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/feb/17/keithley-cougars-rugby-league

We have to take into account the other 10 clubs in the league. What about London Skolars, West Wales? Or can they be sacrificed also now there is another new toy to play with? The league 1 clubs travelled to Toronto and Toulouse so they are willing given proper circumstances.

The National North and South clubs are mostly part time. A lot of the National league teams are also. As are the Scottish teams at that level. It is still a National competition, just split into 2 leagues. We can't demand teams drop out every time someone decides to start a new team.

It isn't whims though, it is more complex and depends on the league structure and finance. Dave's post explained this well. In English football we have a National League North and South. In Scotland also there are Highland and Lowland leagues. There has to be some common sense about when a national league is at a stage or level to make long travel unrealistic. For example Barrow to Torquay is feasible in the football National league, but below that, financially it isn't affordable so the leagues are split geographically. The other expansion teams in league 1 will also be affected not just the northern teams.

I wanted to write something similar but you have written it far better than I would have done

The original Clydebank were bought out by Airdrie and lost their place in the league unfortunately. I like watching the Scottish cup games on tv also, especially the earlier rounds.

Did anyone watch The Holden girls on E4? I thought it was real and the grandmother appalling. However I didn't realise it was a mockumentary and that the grandmother was Leigh Frances (Aka Keith Lemon). Now I know this, in retrospect I think it was quite funny, and made sense. I will watch the episodes again.

"Radu" is a popular Romanian name prefix. It is Slavic and means Happy.

I think in Tennis a lot of people support a player as opposed to a nationality. For example Roger always transcended national boundaries of support. Borg also.

Gallileo, Famous Derby winning racehorse and stallion. Sad news announced on ITV racing today. 20 of his progeny sired group one winners.

I still think there are 18 year olds who work on hospital wards who havent the option to give up though.

I don't read what he thinks. However I've seen 18 year old girls cope with adversity and disability with amazing courage. Young people have had to cope with Covid and losing family. I just feel the sympathy is way over the top in comparison. When it began the health workers, nurses were seen as the real heroes. Now it seems to be the tennis players and footballers again. You usually have some good views, so maybe I am being over harsh.

What annoys me is the way everyone was fawning about her giving up because she was losing. Where we are the establishment have zero tolerance and sympathy if anyone can't carry on in an exam for an example.

Itv Racing did an excellent tribute to Prince Philip at the start of the show today. Most of the presenters had met him and spoke very well.

I agree with you. I think Chelsea and Liverpool will be most happy. I think now Chelsea has an experienced European manager they are very dangerous. Liverpool won't have the crowd at Anfield which makes such a difference. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they made the final as by then they could be back in form. I will be watching the FA Cup quarter final tomorrow hoping my team Bournemouth can win, but we have some key players out unfortunately.

Is that Clyde? I think they moved to Cumbernauld, a new town? What did you think of the Champions league draw?

They were back to earth last night. Took defeat with their usual good grace also. I think that they get the rub of the green in Scotland, then when in Europe, they are referreed stricter they can't cope. The racism claims are obviously a seperate issue and we don't know what was said. However, when one of their players kicks a player in the stomach on the floor seconds beforehand, then I don't think they can be surprised there was a reaction. I don't know what you think about it. I was just expecting that if they went out it wouldn't be without incident.

Motherwell would be good location as the train stops there from the North East of England. Dunfermline there is a direct train from Edinburgh, the Kirkaldy train I think, so it would be possible to see the new team. Of course with Covid any travel is extremely uncertain.