October 17, 200717 yr the CL final will be played on grass. Yes that real green stuff! They only put in that plastic pitch for England. The pitch people even offered to put down grass after all the media pressure, but the Russians declined. That is 100% correct. When the CL Final was awarded to the Stadia it was on UEFA's condition that there current plastic pitch was replaced by grass. Yet they did not have a problem with Russia switching their match against England to play on the artificial turf. Also why were they allowed to water the artificial pitch just before the match & again at half-time when at kick off it was nearly freezing (3 degrees Centigrade). PS. The sub Pavluchenko who scored the two Russians goals scored his 47th & 48th goals in his 63rd game on that pitch. Yet his scoring ratio on grass is less than one goal in four matches. Funny that!
October 17, 200717 yr Well the Russians were playing dirty, and they weren't very sporting like at all. Lord knows why they've been allowed to get away with all this stuff, as it shouldn't be allowed! But that's Fifa for you. Here's hoping Israel get a result against them when they play them! :D
October 17, 200717 yr simple fact is there's one rule for England, and one rule for the rest of Europe. If we made Russia play on plastic, we'd be disciplined until the cows came home. But even still the loss can't be excused because of it. As always England were absolute dire in the 2nd half with comical subs after the 2 goals. The only 2nd half where England were good was against Andorra from memory, and only because the 1st half was dire instead. I must admit I nearly wet myself when the Russian slipped and nearly twisted his knee in the first half because of the water on the athletics track, as there was barely any turf outside the boundary of the pitch
October 18, 200717 yr Harry Redknapp saying that Russia "don't travel well" is bullcr*p. They have a 75 percent record of clean sheets on the road so far in qualifying, with the England game being the only one where they havn't and they're a stronger team than Israel. It don't look good :(.
October 18, 200717 yr Well the Russians were playing dirty, and they weren't very sporting like at all. Lord knows why they've been allowed to get away with all this stuff, as it shouldn't be allowed! But that's Fifa for you. Here's hoping Israel get a result against them when they play them! :D How did Russia play 'dirty'? I didn't see that many bad challenges. And its UEFA who certified the pitch as well. simple fact is there's one rule for England, and one rule for the rest of Europe. If we made Russia play on plastic, we'd be disciplined until the cows came home. But even still the loss can't be excused because of it. As always England were absolute dire in the 2nd half with comical subs after the 2 goals. The only 2nd half where England were good was against Andorra from memory, and only because the 1st half was dire instead. I must admit I nearly wet myself when the Russian slipped and nearly twisted his knee in the first half because of the water on the athletics track, as there was barely any turf outside the boundary of the pitch We wouldn't be disciplined. The pitch was certified by UEFA and especially in Russia's climate its easier to maintain. Russia have played most of their home games on that surface, its not like we haven't had time to prepare is it? Its not like they sprung a surprise on us the day before and went "We're playing on a plastic pitch today :D:D", we could have trained on it before, its not like the surface is unique, we have a few centres with the same pitch, so why didn't we prepare earlier? Poor organisation. The fact is Russia played better Football in the second half when they were on top, how many times did they get into the box, only to be stopped a last-ditch tackle? Twice, three times maybe. This happened in 2000 anyway, and we sneaked into the play-offs by results going our way.
October 18, 200717 yr This happened in 2000 anyway, and we sneaked into the play-offs by results going our way. There is no playoffs this year though.
October 18, 200717 yr There is no playoffs this year though. I know. I was just making the observation that we got through similar to this, in 2000. :P
October 18, 200717 yr Sorry if im being slightly extreme here, but i can't see Russia winning away in Israel to be honest :mellow: I know Israel don't have anything to play for now, but they're still 4th in the group, with a small chance of finishing 3rd.
October 18, 200717 yr Sorry if im being slightly extreme here, but i can't see Russia winning away in Israel to be honest :mellow: I know Israel don't have anything to play for now, but they're still 4th in the group, with a small chance of finishing 3rd. All the teams have something to play for, that's what the media are forgetting. :lol: The higher teams finish in these groups the better chance they have of getting a good seeding for the World Cup qualification. If there's a chance Israel can take 3rd place, they'll try their best to take it.
October 18, 200717 yr All the teams have something to play for, that's what the media are forgetting. :lol: The higher teams finish in these groups the better chance they have of getting a good seeding for the World Cup qualification. If there's a chance Israel can take 3rd place, they'll try their best to take it. That's true actually :lol: Plus England didn't win in Israel either, and Croatia only just won 4-3, id be surprised if Russia DID win tbh :o
October 19, 200717 yr Russia will thrash em I think. I actually think that Macedonia beating Croatia is our best bet.
October 20, 200717 yr On an unrelated note, I watched the Russian film "Night Watch" again, and the stadium makes a brief 2 second appearance during the power shut down scene. The pitch appears to be using grass turf. Edited October 20, 200717 yr by Marcus
October 20, 200717 yr Russia will thrash em I think. I actually think that Macedonia beating Croatia is our best bet. No way Macedonia wins :o :o :angry:
October 20, 200717 yr and for the first time after quite a long time, the fate isn't in our own hands. Edited October 20, 200717 yr by Marcus
October 20, 200717 yr Might watch Russia's next two games on Channel 1 Russia through this site http://www.simplyglobal.tv/brochure/index.php Edited October 20, 200717 yr by Marcus
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