Conference trucks::football;1

	To get things moving what is the main city in Estonia? Kalinin? Is 
anyone taking bets on this being the place where we meet with disaster or will 
that be in Valetta?

Here we GO!

Jim
 

    
    The capital of Estonia is Tallinn, and you can take a ferry to that
    city from Stockholm. I beleive that you also can take a ferry from
    Helsinki. Kaliningrad is still a part of Russia near the
    border to Poland.
    
    English can be difficult in the Baltic states, but there's a tourist
    bureau in Stockholm who specializes in travels to the Baltics. Im sure
    that local travelling agencys can be helpful.
    
    Mats

    Tough group with Italy, Portugal and Scotland. Hopefully Scotland
    will stay true to form and crap-out when least expected. Italy I 
    think will be better then they have been recently now that a new coach
    is in place and some of the politics seems to have been removed from
    the player selection process. Portugal is in serious trouble mostly
    due to fighting within the FA ranks. Estonia remains a mistery. Does
    anybody know if any players from the most recent USSR team will play
    for Estonia?
    
    JC

JC

Don't forget Switzerland.

They proved more than a handful in the Euro championships, only going out in
their last game, away in Romania, when they only needed a point. They have a 
very good squad, and could be the stumbling block for a few teams, although I
don't think they will qualify.

Scotland Beat them 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 away after being 2-0 down at half
time.

Al

RE .3 In another note 127.x someone reports that the Soviet Unions main 
footballers come from Georgia, Russia and the Ukraine. As far as they know 
there are no players from the Baltic states in the current, or recent Soviet 
teams. Good news, I hope.

Jim

	Estonia recently played in a mini-tournament losing 4-0 and 2-0
	to Lithuania and Latvia.

    Does anyone know when they will announce the schedule of matches?
    
    Gavin.

    
    
    re last...
    
    
    Read in the paper yesterday that the group one teams have arranged a
    meeting in Rome towards the end of January.  
    
    
    Michael

    I didn't know it worked that way.  ie all the teams in the group
    decided the dates of the fixtures themselves!
    
    Gavin

    
    
    I believe the only guidelines they have to adhere to are that all games
    are to be played be between x and y.   As I understand it, it's a
    process of negotiation, which has obviously to take account of each
    countries' domestic programmes.     Each country will probably have a
    preference as to who/where they would like to tackle first/last etc.
    
    I remember reading about the negotiations for the Euro championships,
    where Roxburgh and Co went in with the desire to play both the
    Romanians and Bulgarians early, and in Glasgow first.  He also wanted
    to finish the section against San Marino at home.   The rest, as they
    say, is history.
    
    Such is the politics of international fixtures.
    
    
    Michael
    
    
    
    

    Switzerland will not cause any problems, I don't believe. I expect
    Italy to qualify along with either Portugal or Scotland. Its a question
    of which team will s*ck the most. Scotland and Portugal are both known
    for beating the tough opponents and craping out against the weaker
    teams. 
    
    JC

Does anyone know what date exactly these countries are meeting to discuss
fixtures?

Chris.

    
    
    The meeting between the competing sides in group one is taking place
    today (as we write?) in Rome.     I hear that the reps from Scotland
    and Switzerland are already angry (before the meeting began) as Italy,
    Portugal & Malta have already arranged fixture dates between
    themselves.
    
    I've a feeling there will be lots of hands and arms getting waved about.
    
    
    Hopefully all will be revealed tonight.
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    The agreed fixtures are;
    
    
    16 Aug 92    Estonia     v    Switzerland
    
     9 Sep 92    Switzerland v    Scotland
    
    14 Oct 92    Scotland    v    Portugal
                 Italy       v    Switzerland
    
    25 Oct 92    Malta       v    Estonia
    
    18 Nov 92    Scotland    v    Italy
                 Switzerland v    Malta
    
    19 Dec 92    Malta       v    Italy
    
    24 Jan 93    Malta       v    Portugal
    
    17 Feb 93    Scotland    v    Malta
    
    24 Feb 93    Portugal    v    Italy
    
    24 Mar 93    Italy       v    Malta
    
    31 Mar 93    Switzerland v    Portugal
    
    14 Apr 93    Italy       v    Estonia
    
    17 Apr 93    Malta       v    Switzerland
    
    28 Apr 93    Portugal    v    Scotland
    
     1 May 93    Switzerland v    Italy
    
    12 May 93    Estonia     v    Malta
    
    19 May 93    Estonia     v    Scotland
    
     2 Jun 93    Scotland    v    Estonia
    
    19 Jun 93    Portugal    v    Malta
    
     5 Sep 93    Estonia     v    Portugal
    
     8 Sep 93    Scotland    v    Switzerland
    
    22 Sep 93    Estonia     v    Italy
    
    13 Oct 93    Italy       v    Scotland
                 Portugal    v    Switzerland
    
    10 Nov 93    Portugal     v    Estonia
    
    17 Nov 93    Malta        v    Scotland
    		 Italy        v    Portugal
    		 Switzerland  v    Estonia
    
    

    Can anyone get details of the game between Scotland and Italy at
    Hampden in November. I'm thinking of making the journey up from London.
    
    Many thanks
    
    antony     

    I believe that some Scotland games in this group will now be played at
    Ibrox.
    
    antony

    re-1
    
    yes antony,you are right...
    

    
    From Estonia;
    
    Estonia  -  Switzerland     0 - 5
    
    I saw some of the game on Eurosport and it seemed to be a one way
    affair. One of the Switzerland goals came from an indirect freekick due
    to an Estonian backpass to the goalie. The game showed that enthusiasm
    can't cover up for lack of routine. If Estonia get their act together,
    other teams might get some problem travelling to the baltics. The
    Estonians wasn't unskillful, they just didn't have the tempo and
    routine as the Swiss team.
    
    Mats

    re last.
    
    I thought it finished 0-6. ?
    
    Kev...

    3 - 1. I THINK I'LL GO AND TOP MYSELF.
    

    Switzerland 3 Scotland 1
    
    Not much to say really, other than we snatched defeat from the jaws
    of victory yet again.
    
    It started and ended in the first 70 secs, 1-0 down, and the defence
    impersonating a sieve thereafter.....
    
    To cap it all off the captain gets sent off for deliberate hand-ball...
    and he was one of the better performers on the night.
    
    The midfield never played anywhere near the way they are capable
    of playing, in fact it appeared that they played far too deep,
    almost in a defensive mode, they offered NO support to the front
    players, it seems the clock has been turned back to the bad old
    days of defensive c**p.
    
    Never mind, there's still 11 more games to pull back the deficit
    and qualify.......forever the optimist -) -)
    
    
    Jonno
    
    

    
    Well at least Scotland played football and *could* have won
    the game unlike another team that still thinks its in Sweden.
    
    I enjoy watching Scotland play football and anyway two of the
    Suisse goals came from foals on Scottish defenders. The goals
    should have been void.
    
    JN.

    Re last
    
    I think your being slightly generous towards us JN !!!!
    
    The Swiss are already in a reasonably strong position in the group,
    4pts and a barrowload of goals clear of Scotland.......and I can
    safely say one thing now....Scotland will NOT, NEVER score a 
    barrowload of goals against Estonia, as the Swiss did, we are just
    not renowned for trouncing these type of teams, although we should,
    I think our main passport to the WC finals is points.....eleven 1-0
    wins will just have to suffice -) -)
    
    I see Norway hammered 10 past San Marino last night.....we could only
    score 6 in TWO games against the same team........nuff said.
    
    
    Jonno

    Apologies.......there are of course only 6 teams in this section,
    including Scotland, therefore there are only a total of 10 games
    to play..........ok, so I stick by everything I said previously,
    only now it refers to 9 games.......I guess that means that nine
    1-0 wins will just have to suffice
    
    By the way, we STILL won't score a barrowload against Estonia.
    
    
    Jonno.

    
    Based on Scotlands performance in Sweden I don't think
    I'm being too generous. Scotland should have really won
    that game last night based on their performance but as
    usual a couple of mistakes coupled with bad luck meant
    for a dire result. Alan Hansen had the same view.
    
    At least the Scottish players have ideas and show a bit
    of conviction. As far as I'm concerned the teams conviction
    comes from the respect and admiration they have for the
    team manager. Graham Taylor does not have that and never
    will which is why he should pack it in.
    
    Give the job to Clough Snr or Terry Venables.
    
    JN.

    
    
    No one here has mentioned the interviews after the game yet...
    So knowing how you Scots love the crap after the English games...
    
    How can Roxborough say the first Goal was "Freakish" ???? He's 
    been listening to Graham Taylor greatist hits hasn't he ? It was a 
    good goal, as was the second that Alan Hanson said was a foul...
    ..WHAT..!!...it wouldn't have been if Durie had done it, it would have 
    been a powerful run or something. And as for Hanson saying Gough was 
    unlucky to be sent off ??
    
    Straight out of the Jimmy Hill Book of Bollo*ks.
    
    No more comments about the English comentators bias please.
    
    
    Chris

    Speaking as an Englishman, I reckon Graham Taylor had the edge over
    Andy Roxborough last night for talking b******s.
    
    Good points.
    Durie looked quite good up front.
    Scotland put up a better fight than England did last night.
    
    Bad points.
    Gough really had no excuse for catching the ball like that.
    McCoist missed a sitter (or was it McAllister, they all look the same
    to me :-) 
    Scotland put up a better fight than England did last night.
    
    McStevo
    

    Re .27
    
    I never heard Roxburgh's comments after the match, I am surprised
    that he made excuses for the goals lost, they all appeared good
    goals to me, certainly none could be described as "freakish",
    the first goal was very similar to the one we lost in the Euro
    Champs tie, in relation to ballwatching defenders......we have
    a hugely tall, hugely untalented lad called McPherson in defence,
    whom you would expect to use his height in such circumstances....
    but no, you could'nt get a razor blade below his feet at cross
    balls......it is indeed fortunate that Gough is there, although
    he blotted his copybook by being sent off (deservedly)...I dread
    to think what the defence will be like without Gough...will Roxy
    attempt to replace him with Brian "Frankenstein" Irvine or some
    other such statue-like donkey.....the full backs looked none too
    clever either, especially Malpas, I'm afraid Mo looks past it at
    this level, however, he has been an excellent servant to Scotland.
    
    I still think Scotland have the makings of a good side, they have
    some good footballers in midfield if they play them properly....
    and if they hit their form, they never really clicked last night....
    Durrant and McStay playing together WILL be good in the long term,
    also, I think Brian McLair is out of position.....McAllister is
    excellent at dead ball situations, as for up-front...Mcoist does
    miss chances, but he also scores them......there are also a few
    alternatives to try in that area, but Mcoist does it at LEAST
    as well as any of the rest.....
    
     On another note....................I'm afraid Andy Roxburgh has
    a thankless task due to bitter unhappiness from ALL fans of ALL
    club sides in Scotland, caused by certain players being included or 
    not included in the squad.....everybody wants their club's players 
    to play and they are so blinded by hatred for certain players clubs 
    that it eventually gets directed to Roxburgh..... his choice is NEVER 
    right...these people don't really care how the national team fares.....
    ...I think that England, or any other nation for that matter, at least 
    don't have that problem to deal with.
    
    Scotland teams will never be able to unite ALL the fans....not so long
    as the club hatred/jealousy continues.......we are the original "chip
    on the shoulder" nation........come to think of it, maybe I've got
    a chip on my shoulder for suggesting such stirring sentiments -) -)
    
    Just thought I'd say that........
    
                                                                       
    Jonno.
    
    Alan Hansen........never heard his comments either, I'll risk it
    and suggest that he, like most Scots, shows bias.
    
    
    Jonno

    Gough admitted last night (on Scotland Today) that he caught the ball
    to stop the Swiss attack - and wasn't surprised he got sent off.
    At least he's honest.
    
    It's about time the Scots got rid of Dave McPherson, but I disagree
    that Malpas is past his best. He had a poor match on Wednesday but in
    general is quite consistent. Perhaps we should bring Alan McLaren into
    the first team...
    
    dave.
    

    
    Lets face it, there wasn't much else Gough could say was there ?
    
    I cracked up at the way Alan Hansen was trying to talk us through
    that moment. Why he couldn't just say that Gough had every intention
    of catching the ball is beyond me.
    
    JN.

    
     I think what Hansen was getting at was the fact that it can be
    instinct to stretch a hand out (or two) and stop. I play football
    myself and have been booked for deliberate handball. Basically, you do
    it, realise how stupid it was, then you go on the book.
    
     Back to the Malpas point. He has had more than one bad game. He looked
    none to clever in Sweden. I would like to see David Robertson of
    Rangers given a go. He has something that none of the present team have
    ie. an educated left foot, he is quick & he gives you the `long throw'
    option. Surely it is about time he got a run out.
    
          Jonno
    

    What are the chance, that Scotland is going to beat Portugal tommorrow?
    
    Since they qualified for the EC last Summer, I thought that they would
    also qualify for the WC, but then I saw the result against Switzerland,
    I wondered what the chances were for Scotland to qualify, since
    Portugal is also a good team (they have Paolo Futre).
    
    J.
    

    
    
       I think that Scotland will get a 1-1 draw at Ibrox tomorrow .
    
    
                              Gra...

     Don't like to say it but I think your right..We'll play poorly and get
    a draw or we'll play a blinder and lose by a freak goal.But lets hope
    the boys will surprise us and get a victory.
    
                                                SCott

    I hear that Andy Roxburgh is going to announce the team in the
    changing room - sounds a bit ominous to me ...
    
    Ray

    
    If we can beat Rumania at home with a badly weakened team we can
    certainly do the same tonight against Portugal. Lets face it, Portugal
    don't have much of a pedigree when it comes to international football
    so why all the doom and gloom. 
    
    A scottish victory - nuff said.
    
    Del.

    Err - I remember a rather good Portugal beating us 3-0 over there
    in some qualifying tournament (1980 Euro Championships??).  I think
    our luck might be out - having qualified for Euro92 it could be the
    odds are against us for WC94 ..
    
    Ray

Switzerland are fielding the same team that played Scotland for their qualifier
in Cagliari tonight. Nobody expects them to win in Italy; however there is a
great spirit in the team after their first two matches - Maybe, just maybe, they
will be able to suprise everyone....

    My first thought when I saw the team for the Swiss game was that we
    looked to have too "settled" a side going out onto the park. It was
    basically the guys who played the bulk of the football in Sweden.
    
    "Well what's wrong with a settled side?" , I can hear you ask....well
    if it's Scotland we're talking about then EVERYTHING!
    
    Traditionaly, we always seem to play our best stuff when wee 
    Shuggie McPhee who plays for Tranmere Rovers and has a Scottish 
    grandparent is drafted into the side at the last moment to cover for 
    "so-and-so" who's out with a groin strain - our put another way - 
    when our backs are definately to the wall!! 
    
    The boys need to play for the shirt for 90 mins, as a team, and with all 
    the passion and commitment they can muster.  
    
    My opinion - forget McClair, he's a puddin', play down the flanks and get 
    the ball low into the box for Super Ally.
    
    With 30-40 thousand inside Ibrox, I think we can do it - 
    
    Scotland over Portugal  2-1
    
    Tom 

    Tom this is the make or brake game, ya need both points after the last
result, but I have the feeling it will be a draw. I hope yer lads do it...

                                                               -dave-

p.s Good to see your first note in the conference....

    re -1.
    
    Dave - do you want to do my pools coupon - not bad predictions last
    night - both ourselves and Ireland drew as you predicted/(hoped in the
    latter case).
    
    Well fellow Scots back "hame", what happened to us this time ? From
    the result Andy seemed to have shored up the defense, where was our
    front men?
    
    I guess it's really all up-hill from now on, particularly with 
    the Swiss drawing 2-2 with Italy. What a game that was. (saw it on
    the box over here) The Italians scored  twice in the last 7 mins the
    tie the game. With this kind of gutsy display, I think the Swiss could
    just sneak a place in the Finals.
    
    Well, another 4 weeks to sort out whatever needs sorting out, before
    the Italians come to Ibrox. I hate to say it but by Christmas, we
    "could" have a lot in common with Turkeys at that time....STUFFED!!
    
    Let's hope the Italians don't like the cold!!
    
    Tom
    
    ps Dave, I must have taken one too many of those little white pills
    they drop in their coffee in the canteen!

Italy 2 Switzerland 2
        17'
	22'
83'
91'

Italy equalised in injury time, putting to an end the Swiss dream of coming
away with a win...

The Swiss were superbly well organised defensively, and took the few chances
that came to them. Both Swiss goals came from goalkeeping errors - especially
the second one where the Italian goalkeeper lost control dribbling after a
backpass...

In the end the Swiss tired, and poor clearances let Baggio and co. in for two
superbly struck goals - absolutely unstoppable.

The Swiss came away disappointed but satisfied at the same time - however it
would really have been a travesty if they had won (20 corners to 2 in favour of
Italy shows the degree of domination)

Steve

    
    
    Italy 2 - 2 Switzerland 
    
    		Ohrel 18'
    		Chapuisat 23'
                         
    Baggio 83'
    Eranio 91'
    

     
    
       A poor performance from an average Scotland team last night has left
      them with a lot of work to do in their attempt to make the USA.
    
       The least said about the game the better. The Portugese certainly
      had the better chances and were denied at least 1 definite penalty
      when Futre was felled by Whyte.
    
       The interview with Andy "Interesting" Roxburgh after the game was 
      almost embarrassing. He claimed that Scotland had more possession,
      as many corners etc as the Portugese and that they were lucky to get
      a draw. From what I saw on tv, the Portugese keeper didn't have 1
      direct shot to save whereas Goram had 2 or 3 great saves and Futre
      put a couple of chances past the post. Roxburgh then went on to say
      how Scotland would have murdered the Portugese at the back if Gough
      and McPherson (2 central defenders!!!) were playing. The only player
      in the team who looked capable of running at and going past defenders
      was Tom Boyd (a full-back). The midfield constantly took the easy
      option of passing sideways, never varying the pace of their attacks.
      The Portugese defence must have had one of their easiest away
      internationals ever.
    
       Dannny.

   Tom reading the last report it looks like ye were lucky to get a draw. The
mighty Italy in a months time won't help matters either, especially after last
nights result, they will be looking for both points at Ibrox. 

  I thought Italy deserved a draw last night, the Swiss had basically 3 attacks
in the whole game and scored two goals from them, but fair play to them for
defending so well. Baggio was in fantastic form, his passing on a very wet
surface was amazing, as was his goal. Lentini was another player who had a great
game, the whole Swiss defense were excellent, they just ran out of steam and
luck in the last 10 mins, which team wouldn't have, they were bombarded in the
second half. I reckon the Italian goalkeeper played his last game in the NO1
shirt. Does he play for AC Milan????

   Tom there's a long way to go yet....

                                                     -dave-

    
    Since when did Scotland start playing at Ibrox ???
    
    
    just asking...........
    
    
    Liam

    
    
    
     This was the first of 3 WC games to be played at Ibrox, due to
    renovation/modernising/safety work being carried out at the National
    Slum. If I'm correct, the games against Italy and either Malta or
    Estonia are the next 2.
    
     Danny.

    And some would say the reason that Rangers took the lead to rebuild
    their stadium before others did, was for events such as last night ..
    
    Ray

    Rathole alert... back to the game..
    
    For me the game was over after Kevin Gallacher limped off, he was one
    of the two only Scots who looked in the mood last night ( Boyd being
    the other ).
    
    Roxburgh embarassed himself by then saying that if our two usual
    defenders were in the team we would have scored loads of goals, why do
    we employ forwards then ??
    
    I cannot even think of one decent clear cut chance on goal, that is how
    dissappointing we were. Portugal always looked the more likely to score
    and by the time Gallacher limped off ( 20 mins ) they had won control
    of midfield and were rolling the ball comfortably around to each other
    as if it were a home game. They had two certain penalty claims which
    they should fell very aggreived about and if it was not for our man of
    the match Andy Goram they would have left with both points. It says it
    all when your goalkeeper is man of the match when you play a home game.
    
    We had no one who was prepared to take a man on, such as Nevin.
    Midfield had taken the night off.
    
    After the highs of our attitude and style of play in Euro 92 normal
    service had been resumed.         

    Anyone know when tickets go on sale for Italy game ?

    Who won the "Battle of the Titans" between Malta and Estonia?

>    Who won the "Battle of the Titans" between Malta and Estonia?

I THINK it was 2-2.

g

Estonia 0  Switzerland 6,.........I think

    I don't think so, as Switzerland plays tomorrow against Malta, and
    I doubt the result will be 0-6 :-) , more like 6-0.
    
    Well, I hope Malta do better,i.e. 2-0 or 0-0  ;-)
    
    Eduard
    	

You Scots will be shocked to hear that mighty Costa Rica could only beat St 
Vincent 1-0 yesterday . . .

g

    re .55
    
    That game was a couple of weeks ago. It was on TV on Telemundo in the
    US Sunday. Switzerland looked pretty good, especially Chaupissant (sp) 
    who had a bucktfull of goals. An Estonian player did a backflip on a
    throw-in, and it must have gone 50 yards! 
    
    Next week it's England-Norway. It's good to see them show more 
    internationals.
    
    Tom  

    
    Half_Time Scotland 0-0 Italy
    

    Full Time    Scotland 0-0 Italy

    
    Switzerland - Malta   3 - 0
    
    Not a bad result for Malta compared to Estonia.

    Ahem, no team news ??  no match report ??   no more ??
    
    Ray

    
    
     A fairly good performance from Scotland against what I thought was a
    poor Italian side. Scotland only created a couple of chances, Durie
    and McAllister missed the best ones. Neither keeper was really tested
    although Goram had a great save in the last minute to keep the score
    sheet blank. The Italians were impressive until they got to the Scots
    penalty box, once there they did nothing. Lentini, on last nights
    performance wasn't even worth 13 bob never mind 13 million.
    
     Best for Scotland were the defence, McLaren in particular who marked
    Baggio in only his 4th international. Boyd did some good work down the
    left, Durie worked well down the right but missed a couple of good
    chances.
    
    Team :- Goram, Malpas, McPherson, Whyte, McLaren, Boyd, McAllister,
    McStay, Durrant(replaced by Jess), McCoist and Durie(replaced by
    Robertson).
    
     The Italians finished with 10 men, 2 subs on before Baggio left with
    suspected broken ribs. I think he was just a bit fed up playing in the
    wind and rain.
    
     Danny.

    
    I see reading the title of your note your looking for a striker.
    
    Surly you can look no further than the 32 goal Rangers man, mind
    you it's a totally differant story scoring at international level.
    
    Neil....
    
    
    

    
    
    re last
    
    Is that the same Rangers man who scored 2 against the best the
    Engerlish have to offer?
    
    Mind you, the Engerlish strikers have a great scoring record recently,
    I believe Shearer scored his first for ages, Smith's a donkey and
    Wright is really banging them in.
    
     Danny.

    Yes Danny, but who hasn't won one single game out of three in the
    tournement?  
    
    
    We're going to America
    We're going to America
    You ain't
    You ain't
    
    
    Bye Bye Danny
    
    
    Terry

    Re -1
    
    Are you sure you're not talking about Euro 92... , I thought this was an
    adult only notesfile...back to the game... 
    
    I could'tn find fault with any of the players last night ( with exception
    of Billy the Fish, what was he doing in their siz yard box !! ) I felt
    Roxburgh cocked it up.
    
    There was a vacuum behind Durie and McCoist due to the fact that with
    only three in midfielders none of the three of them wanted to commit
    themseleves to supporting the front 2. Durrant ran himself ragged
    trying to do this, but when you are up against the Italians it's too
    much to ask.
    
    The Italians easily won the first half due to this, McAllister
    obviousely got a kick up the arse at half time and was told to up the
    work rate, only then did we start to play some football.
    
    Once we had the beating of them Roxburgh should have pulled off Billy
    the Fish, replaced him with Collins and reverted to a 4:4:2 formation.
    
    The final result was probably a fair one and it was certainly a better
    performance that against Portugal..all we have to do now is win the
    rest of our games and we'll qualify.

    I think Terry has a good point.  We English have had to take rubbish
    from you Scots about the euro-championships.  
    
    Now its your turn.  Your going out.  I'm happy to say though you can watch 
    Gazza, Platt, Woods and Co on TV in 94' 
    
   " Your going out with the Welsh  "
    
    >>>I thought this was an adult only notesfile...
    
    "Just because your losing"  
    
    Whats wrong, has 2 points out of 6 upset you :-)
    
    
    Gary
    

    
    
     I'm happy to say I will not be watching Bubble-Head, Platty, Woodsy
    and all the rest of Engerland's finest on TV in '94. I'll probably do
    something more exciting like watching paint dry or a snail race or
    something similar. Imagine watching and listening to the most biased
    nation on earth, doesn't sound much like fun to me.
    
     Danny.

    >>> Imagine watching and listening to the most biased nation on earth,
    >>> doesn't sound like fun to me.
    
    I hope your not jealous.

    
    I'm beginning to realise why us English are the most hated race in
    Europe.
    
    It's because we're better than you and you're just jealous 
    - na na na na nana.
    
    Or at least that's what *some* of my compatriots would have you
    believe. Personally, I would rather read/write notes about football in
    this conference. If I want to see English baiting, I'll read Soapbox, Celt
    etc etc.
    
    Tim [many ;-)].
                            

    
    
    Don't think I've ever been jealous of Engerland in my life. You know
    what they say, the only good road is the one heading north.
    
    Danny
    
    :-) :-(

    The reason that we are saying England are better than Scotland is
    because its the truth.  I don't lie.  

    I suppose that explains why the English champions are in the final eight
    of Europe and the Scots are not....
    
    .....beat a third world country and Gascube is lifting the woorld
    coop ............ yawn...zzzzz...
    
    Did any of you Sun readers actually see the Scotland game last
    night....too busy giving the Turks a full moon.
    
    Since 1962 Donkeyhype have only qualified for 3 world cups whereas
    Scotland have qualified 5 time, I'd remember all the mouthing off that
    you Jimmy Hill's done in the Euro-predictions note before lifting the
    World Cup in you (very) fertile imagination... 

    I watched the Scotland game and I have to admit, I now like Gordon
    Durie.

    How about someone ruining this note by putting in the latest table?

			P  W  D  L   F  A  Pts
Switzerland		4  3  1  0  14  3   7
Italy			2  0  2  0   2  2   2
Scotland		3  0  2  1   1  3   2
Portugal		1  0  1  0   0  0   1
Malta			2  0  1  1   0  3   1
Estonia			2  0  1  1   0  6   1

    Thanks for the report, the team and the table.   I couldn't bear to
    put on the TV to wait for the obligatory 2 minutes of highlights.
    
    Is this McLaren from Hearts and Whyte from Middlesborough (ex Celtic)??
    
    Ray

    
    Correct.
    

    
    I worried for Scotland the other night during their match
    against Italy and quite rightly so.
    
    Scotland were lucky to have come away with that result and 
    any chance that they had to score was down to Italian mistakes
    more than Scottish creativity. I understand that Durie, due to
    a knock on the head, was suffering from double vision which is
    why he fluffed the two sitters that came his way. I must admit
    I did wonder what was wrong with him.
    
    With the possible exception of Durrant the only player who has
    international class within the Scottish team is Durie. Machoist
    is not an International player as the Premier League easy life
    is a long way from football at the highest level against, arguably,
    one of the best teams in the world.
    
    Italy must truly be unhappy with the result as Scotland were out of
    their depth completely. What happened to the team from the Euro
    Championships ? Still in Sweden I expect.
    
    Its the luck of the draw in a way 'cos you are not in the easiest
    group to start with.
    
    JN.

    
    
    re last
    
     I know your probably in wind-up mode Mr. Nagle, but did you actually
    watch the game? Scotland had the better chances to score but missed
    on 3 or 4 occasions. Italy only had 1 real chance which Goram saved in
    the last minute. I would say we were a bit unlucky not to win the game.
    
     Sure, the Italians will probably win quite easily in the return leg,
    but they will be more than happy with the draw on Wednesday.
    
     Danny.

    Re -1
    
    You must have been watching a different game. 
    
    The first half was all Italy possession with no creativity in the box,
    it was laughable to see Lentini knock the ball across the goal line
    during one of their more promising moves. Scotland in the second half
    took command with some excellent football by an overstretched midfield
    unit.
    
    Boyd's run down the wing and cross which McCoist knocked on to Durie
    and Durrant's through ball to Jess had nothing to do with Italian
    mistakes, just excellent football.
    
    As for international standard players.....
    
    McLaren had an outstanding game for someone in his 4th international,
    given the task of marking one of Europes most renound players he simply
    played him off the park, he is the future captain of Scotland and I
    would not be suprised if he moves to Ibrox to take over from Guff when
    he moves on.
    
    Goram is the best goalkeeper in the UK, PERIOD , ask Gordon Strachan -
    English footballs most inspirational player.
    
    Even Whyte played better than I can ever rememeber him playing when he
    was at Parkhead.
    
    Malpas & Boyd were as reliable as ever, there is no one in Britain that
    has the speed or stamina of Tom Boyd, that has been the only good piece
    of business Liam Brady has done since moving to Parkhead
    
    The midfield coped well under the circumstances but they could not
    commit to going forward with only three of them. England still would
    not know Durrant if he had not been at the heart of the team that 
    embarassed the English out of the European Club championship.
    
    The two forwards were left on their own against one the of the best
    defences in the world.
    
    We had our Captain missing in Gough and Stuart McCall who would have
    both played, yet our defence did not seem to miss them.
    
    We have played against three top quality European sides all with
    realistic chances of qualifying the best of which looked Portugal 
    and have yet to meet any of the perceived minnows in the group,
    Malta or Estonia, Yes we have not set the world on fire, but we still 
    aint out. 
                                      
    England have played no one with a chance of qualifying, both at home
    and have apparently qualified....
    
    ......earth calling England...you same to be fading away...you're
    losing touch with the rest of us... 

    
    Re:-1
    
    Tommy Boyd reliable. You've got to be joking!!!
    He is no where near international standard.
    
    Nige.

    ...Yawn....zzzzzz....
    
    Care to elucidate, give examples, explain with reasonable argument
    
    otherwise it just degenerates into a peurile toilet wall conversation

    
    My apologies. I neglected to include Goram thru temporary
    loss of memory. At the moment he is playing superbly.
    
    JN.

    
    I have just been told that i'm going to be visiting Ayr next week for
    three days, Wednesday onwards. Is anybody interested in meeting 
    me for a drink or even lunch in the canteen, if so mail me 
    Andy Barefield @wlc it will be interesting to put some faces with
    the names..
    
    Andy..B
    

    Did anyone see the pass back the other night?? I think it was by
    Maldini. The sub (was it Jess) was played through and was about to shoot
    when Maldini tackled him and gave it directly to the keeper.

    
    re .86,
    
    Andy, I'm sure there will be a very warm welcome for you ;-)
    
    Tim 

    re.86
    
    As you are not a very popular person in Scotland, (are you popular
    anywhere ????) it might not be advisable to meet any of us anywhere
    in Ayr next week. Some of your comments in the notes have gone beyond
    the bounds of good taste and humour and border on the racist, as
    mentioned in previous notes. Some of it could be put down to "wind-ups"
    but the remainder is an indication of the type of person you are....
    
    
    ...the type of englishman that Scots hate with a passion. 
    
    
    Have a nice trip.
    
    
    Kev...

    re.87
    
     It should have been a free kick because of the pass back but the ref
    was more concerned with the penalty claims. I've seen penalties given
    for a lot less but perhaps it wasn't given because Jess didn't do a
    triple salko when he was tackled.
    
     I thought Scotland were unlucky. If Durie had arrived with his
    `shooting' boots we could of won.
    
     There's no point in us going to the USA anyway because if Gazza's fit
    Engurland have already won. I've been reading in other notes that he's
    already the best player in the world....ahead of Van Basten & Co. What
    are these people full of except pure bullsh*t. Granted he's a great
    player but the best in the world after having one good game against
    *TURKEY*. Come on, be serious.
    
       Jonno
    

    
    	re .86(?)...
    
    	I guess that's a "NO" so far then, Andy. ;-)
    
    	Can't think why no one wants to meet you....the lads in Ayr have
    	always been very friendly whenever I've been there 8-)
    
    	Make sure you lock your room at the Cally at night!
                                                          
    	Andy.

    
    
    Andy. I can't believe you asked in the first place. I reckon
    you must be on a wind up yourself !
    
    JN.

		Malta   1  -  2   Italy

	   Gregory  85            Vialli  58
				  Seniori 62


	A close win for Italy especially because the Italian goalie
	saved a penalty after a deliberate handball by Franco Baresi
	(sent off !). Italy was of course dominant throughout the 
	game, but IMO should have put more pressure on the Maltese.
	Malta, as opposed to recent years, didn't just stand in the 
	penalty	area and defend for 90 minutes, but tried to score
	some goals too and especially on fast breaks they caused some
	danger for the Italian defense. On one occassion (it was still
	0:0), Malta could, and quite likely would have, scored, when
	a Scerri picked up a lovely pass into the Italian half,with
	all the Italians running out, and went with the ball to a one
	on one with the Italian goalie. Unfortunately the linesman
	waved offside. I looked at it in slow motion and when the 20m
	pass was given, Scerri was clearly onside and the linesman, although
	in a good position waved his flag when the ball was only 2m (!) away
	from the receiving player.
	Vialli's goal came from a cross into the penalty area. A Maltese
	defender obviously wanted to let the ball through to his goalie
	because if he had jumbed he could have easily headed the ball out
	of danger. Instead he ducked a little and Vialli jumped in between
	and deflected the ball with the tip of his foot into the left corner
	of the Maltese goal. In the first half he had a very good chance 
	when he made a lovely over head kick which would have gone into
	the upper left corner of the goal hadn't there been a Maltese defender
	who headed the ball out, deflecting from the crossbar.
	Seniori's goal was very well done, he ran after a pass into the 
	right hand side of the Maltese penalty area and just flicked the ball
	over Maltese goalie Cluett, who unnecessarily came out of his goal
	to intercept.
	The Maltese goal was also done after a superb pass from Scerri from
	the 16m line, behind the Italian defense, into the penalty area. Another Maltese
	player picked up the pass and crossed to Gregory, who just had to put 
	it in. The stadium was a madhouse!!! :-)

	All in all the Italians should be happy about the 2 points and quickly
	forget the match. The Maltese though will probably never forget this
	match and will be very pleased with this close result against mighty
	Italy.

	Eduard

    Yesterday Portugal beat Malta 1 - 0 in Malta.
    
    Joe

    
    
    Scotland are without a few players as normal for the qualifier against
    Malta. Out are :
    Gough - only get sent off anyway
    Durie - huddie
    Gallagher - magic player really needed
    big bird - huddie
    Doughtful
   Mcloist- hope he plays
    Robertson   "  "
    Jess        "  "
    Shearer     "  "
    

    RE . previous,
    
    Is Souness helping with the training then? (:==:)
    
    Always a good move with Scotland to get the excuses in before the
    embarassing defeat.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    
       Scotland 3 - 0 Malta
       McCoist(2)
       Nevin
    
       Poor game with the main point being that Scotland managed 2 points
    for the first time in this campain.
       One of the brighter points of the game was Jess who looked good
    almost every time he had the ball.
    
       Next game for Scotland is in the Stadium of Light against Portugal
    on April the 28th.
    
       Jonno
    

    any chance of an updated table in this note too?

    
                      P W D L F A Pts
      
        Switzerland   4 3 1 0 14 3  7
        Italy         3 1 2 0  4 3  4
        Scotland      4 1 2 1  4 3  4
        Portugal      2 1 1 0  1 0  3
        Malta         4 0 1 3  1 6  1
        Estonia       2 0 1 1  0 6  1
    
    

    Yesterday's result:
    
    PORTUGAL 1   ITALY  3

    Considering Italy have played the last three matches away and beat
    a Portugese side who looked rather handy at Ibrox, I think that
    it is now beyond Scotland qualifyig, unless the top two slip up. 
    Admitted, there are a few more games left but you've got to visit 
    Portugal and Italy. Here's hoping anyway.
    
    barry.
    

    
    The Italians played a strange type of game here...2-0 up and cruising.
    Portugal pulled back 1 and the Italians fell to pieces...how Portugal
    didn't score more I'll never know. The killer punch of the 3rd goal was
    a cracker from D. Baggio. Italy and Switzerland look to be in the
    driving seat now....
    
    Regards,
    
    Dezzz.
    

Hi,


 I think that everything is up.Portugal was extremely unlucky against Italy.
 The 1st goal at 1st minute give ,without doubt,the victory to Italy.
 Their defensive game gets stronger and stronger...
 Then CASIRAGHI scores the second (Portuguese Goalkeeper fault) a few minutes
 after DOMINGOS (F.C.PORTO)losed a face-to-face against Italian golakeeper!
 In the 2nd half,however,Portugal rise.And almost override Italy...but their
 ofensive line failed completely.
 Finaly, when Portuguese slow down the pressure ,D.BAGGIO with a happy kick
 kill all Portuguese hopes.
 And it's all, a bad lucky game for Portugal team.


 The team:



                                BAIA (FC PORTO)
                                ----

J.PINTO (FC.PORTO)   F.COUTO (FC.PORTO)  HELDER (SL.BENFICA) F.MENDES (SL.BENFICA)    
-------              -------             ------              --------

                             
                          OCEANO(R.SOCIEDAD-Spain)
                          ------
 FIGO (SPORTING LISBON)                                          SEMEDO (FC.PORTO)
 ----                                                            ------                                   
                           C.XAVIER (R.SOCIEDAD-Spain) 
                           --------
                           
                                                    
               DOMINGOS (FC.PORTO)                   FUTRE (SL.BENFICA)
               --------                              -----


 HELDER -->  R.BARROS  (MONACO-France)
 
 C.XAVIER -->  R.AGUAS (SL.BENFICA)



 Goal - F.COUTO 


Regards (we meet at USA '94),


Rui Mariano
DEC-Portugal

    Hi,
    
    Maybe you forget that Couto marked the only Portoguese goal by hand
    ( as usual for Portoguese team, Benfica-Marseille...)
    
    Anyway, I don't think Italy won just because of lucky; apart 15 minutes
    of fear, we kept in hand ( sorry ! ) the match.
    
    You are optimist when you say "we meet in USA '94", it should be better
    to say "we meet in FRANCE '98"
    
    Ciao 
    Fabio
    

    I watched the match here in the US and I don't think Rui was that far
    off.
    
    The first goal for Italy was a gift by the keeper.  A long ball from
    midfield that went to the goal area.  The keeper should have easily
    handled it but didn't.
    
    The second goal for Italy was a nice short pass, where the Portuguese
    keeper came out well but the Italian player just barely beat the keeper
    to the ball and tucked it home.
    
    The third Italian goal was a rocket by Dino Baggio.  I feel they should
    use him for there free kicks.
    
    In the first half the Portuguese player, Domingos missed a wide open
    net.  Brilliant pass bby Futre.
    
    In the second half the Portuguese dominated play, until they conceeded
    the third goal.  The goal by Couto didn't appear to be hand ball at all
    but may have been obstruction.  It appeared that while he was heading
    the ball he bumped the Italian keeper.  The Portuguese did score a
    second goal that was brought back for offside but the replayed showed
    that when the ball was kicked forward the Portuguese player was not
    behind the Italian defender.  Futre made a excellent run which Rui
    Barros couldn't handle, he was a 1 meter from the goal.  Rui Barros
    also missed a point blank opportunity.  The ball was crossed to him, he
    was 2 to the goal and he kicked it over the net.  Couto also hit the
    post on a shot.
    
    To say that Italy was lucky is unfair.  The Italians deserved to win
    because they put in the opportunities that they had.  The Portuguese
    didn't because if they had they would have at least tie the game if not
    won it outright.
    
    For the Portuguese to make to the US they have get rid of Domingos. 
    The leading scorer in Portugal is Cadete from Sporting.  Why wasn't he
    or Joao Pinto from Benfica on the team?  I would also like to see Paulo
    Sousa from Benfica on the team.  Very hard worker that usually makes
    things happens.  There are a few other players that come to mind but as
    usual Portugal never seems to put the right team together.
    
    That's it for now,
    
    Joe

    Hi.
    I've read enough about this match and now I want everybody know
    about what was really happened.
    
    After only twenty minutes Italy's players understand that they are
    playing with a very funny team (2-0 already).
    So they thought it was better to let them enjoy a little bit, but
    there wasn't a Portuguese player able to score by foot or by head.
    So Italians player spoke with the opposite team saying "You can use
    the hand, maybe you can do something better".
    In fact Couto did so.
    Italians player spoke again, saying "Now we want to see if you can 
    score again but this time without hand".
    After they saw that there was nothing to do, There wasn't one
    Portuguese player able to do it, Dino Baggio said "Now I show you how
    to do".
    And the match ended.
    
    Ciao. 
    Lele.
    

    RE -1
    
    Brilliant !!!!!!
    
    Best note for a long time......
    
    colin

    
    Does anyone know the result of tonight's friendly between
    Scotland and Germany?
    
    

    
    Scotland 0  Germany  1
    
    SQF Jambo

    Go on Sid...... Tell them about the Goal.......!!!

    
    So the rumours are correct?
    
    Archie
       

    According to my sources (A Jambo) it was true.... but until I read
    it in the Sun Im not believing anything......!!!!  asheeesh sheeesh

    
    OK....
    
    Levein totally missed a long ball from the Krauts and one of them
    nipped in,and rocketed the ball past Nicky Walker.......
    
     SQF Jambo

    
    In the 20th minute, Levein missed a very easy ball, I think he jumped
    to early and only slightly touched it on his way down again. Riedle was
    just waiting behind him in front of the box and had an easy job in
    passing Walker.
    
    As for the rest of the game: An extremely lucky win for Germany. The
    Scots had most of the match and after all it was K�pke's good
    performance in the German goal that saved Germany.
    
    Heiko
       

    
    What a bunch of poncy, shirt lifting, fudge packing poofters
    Scotland looked in there PINK hit me with your handbag shirts last
    night, no wonder the poof at the back missed the header he was to busy
    putting his nail varnish on....Has to be the worst kit I've ever seen.
    
    Neil....

 re last

        Poncy, poofy, pink, call it what you like. It has however got one good
       thing going for it...



          IT ISN'T BLOODY ENGLISH...

     Danny.

    
    	Scotland only have themselves to blame. They were the better team
    on the night, MUCH better, and had numerous good chances to win it.
    Collins wants shooting for the miss 10 minutes from the end, but it
    would be unfair to single out one miss. 
    
    	The Scottish midfield were excellent, and I think had McCoist been
    playing they would have won. Is he injured? 
    
    	Not sure where the game was played but the crowd were right behind
    Scotland all the way. Were they mostly kids? They certainly generated
    some atmosphere.
    
    	Shock horror; EVEN the 2 most biased commentators on the planet
    (John Motson excluded) Fassbender and K.H. Rummenigge said that Germany
    were very fortunate. I had to order another Weissbier...
    
    			Steve 

 re last

        Usual story for Scotland. Plenty of chances but some good goalkeeping
       and a couple of misses meant another defeat. Also lost a goal from
       nothing.

        McCoist was withdrawn along with 5 other Rangers players from the 
       squad due to injury/illness/totally knackered.

        On last nights performance, Ferguson, McLaren, Wright, Boyd and Collins
       must have staked a claim for the next world cup match against Potugal.

        Due to poor crowds at recent games, the SFA finally came up with a 
       fairly sensible idea and opened the gates to families, schools, youth
       organisations etc which explains the high pitch cries from the crowd.

          
          Danny.

    I thought the Scots were brilliant....... if I was Roxborough I get rid
    of all the primadonnas that were missing last night and have those
    young guys in my team. At least they had a go and looked like they were
    proud to play for their country. Living in Germany it was good to see
    them get rattled. Only for the goalie, who admitted afterwards it was
    his best game for Germany, Scotland could've had 3. On the other hand
    only for Levine.........
    
    I also thought the kit was quite nice. At last they've got rid of those
    poxy shorts.......
    
    	- Robin

    
    >                 -< As much passion as an Irish rugby team  :-) >-
    
    		And as much Euphoria? ;-)
    
    
    	I agree about the youngsters Robbie, the Aberdeen player who came
    on at the end (Booth?) looked good as well. I just think that a clinical 
    finisher was missing.

    Re .116
    
    
    Who Poked your Kidneys....?

    re .116
    
    Neil,
         If memory serves me right,isn't it a certain English soccer player
         who is a fudge packing poofter  :-)
    
    As for Scotlands strip,at least it is better than the boring White 
    crap worn by that "wee fat useless huddy called gascoine"
    
     SQF Jambo  

    
    .128
    
    If you are refering to the pictures in the papers of the Great Gazza
    in his Pink Shirt and Jeans, then all who have to do is look to his
    right and you will see a lovely blonde next to him, that certainly puts
    paid to any doubts about HIS gender.  
    
    Regarding the strip being better than the boring white , I Don't think
    so , do you ?. Come on, you have to admit they did look like a bunch of
    John Inman look alikes, mincing around the football pitch.
    
    Neil...
     

    
    
    re last
    
     She's probably a thick Essex bimbo after a bit of high profile and
    some easy cash. After all, most self-respecting female would realise
    he's a fat, ugly, over-rated fool with his brain in his feet.
    
     Danny.

    
    Isn't John Inman English ?
    
    I think we should be told.
    
    Kev...

    
    Re.126
    
    I doubt it.
    
    Neil...

    He certainly looks and acts that way....
    
    Kev..

   re .128....

      Kev that was a good one.... And John Inman IS English... Just ask
John Cleese....

Rule No 1.  No Pooftas...

    I read that the score for the Portugal vs Switzerland match was 1 - 1.
    
    Can anyone provide a game report and current standings.
    
    Joe  

    
                       P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
                      
        Switzerland    5  3  2  0  15 3    8
        Italy          5  3  2  0  13 5    8
        Scotland       4  1  2  1   3 3    4
        Portugal       4  1  2  1   3 4    4
        Malta          6  0  1  5   2 15   1
        Estonia        2  0  1  1   0 6    1
    
    

re -2

saw the game on tv (in between switching channels to the German Cup semi-final),
and wasn't too impressed with either side.

Switzerland didn't play up to the level i'd expected after watching the previous 
games against Scotland and Italy. They took the lead towards the end of the first
half with a header from Chapuisat (their only really class player), following a
left wing cross from Souter. They hadn't really got their act back together when
they conceded a soft equaliser 4 minutes later, to a free header in the box. In
the second half both sides looked as if they'd settled for a point, the most
notable feature was some truly ferocious tackling by the Protgese defence. In 
one incident (which was replayed ad infinitum from various angles) a Swiss player
slid the ball away and was then caught in the face by a flying boot with a 
Portugese attached to the other end of it. The Swiss ended up with a fractured
cheek bone, the Portugese wasn't even booked, and in fact repeated the act on
another swiss forward later in the game. The Swiss had Chapuisat sent off (i 
think - i was watching the cup game at the time) for a retaliatory dig at a
defender, and he'll miss the next game (against Malta).

The match was played in Bern, to a packed stadium. The Portugese had a lot of
support from the Portugese migrant workers living in Switzerland.

All in all the Swiss seem happy with a point, and it leaves them handily placed
for qualification for the finals.

      Ray Wright,  Neuchatel Software Development Centre

    result from yesterday. 
    
    Italy 2 Estonia 0
    Baggio
    Signori

17-APR-1993 	Malta 0 Switzerland 2

	Assuming the last table was correct..



                       P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
                      
        Switzerland    6  4  2  0  17 3    10
        Italy          6  4  2  0  15 5    10
        Scotland       4  1  2  1   3 3    4
        Portugal       4  1  2  1   3 4    4
        Malta          7  0  1  6   2 17   1
        Estonia        3  0  1  2   0 8    1
    
    
        Next game Portugal v Scotland (in case anyone didn't know)
	If that game ends in a draw it seems unlikely anyone will 
        catch the top two.

    There doesn't seem to be much interest in here about tonight's game. Is
    this typical of the mood back home??????
                                                                  
    Jimmy frea' Embra

    
    re-1....
    
    Haw Jimbo....hooz it hangin....ma auld champion !!!!
    
    when you back in Edinburgh, geez a fone and we'll hae to 
    have a foo of beers....
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    
    I believe that Portugal have an early goal.
    
    Portugal 1 Scotland 0
    
    

    
    Portugal scored just on half time.
    
    Portugal 2 Scotland 0
    
    Scotland had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. I
    am informed that the replay shows that it should have been a goal.
    
    Archie
    

    
    Half way through the second half, still 2-0.

    
    I am sad to report that it is now 5-0 to Portugal.
    
    Archie
    

    
    Final Score
    
    Portugal 5 Scotland 0
    
    Ally McCoist was carried off near the end of the game.
                                                                 
    

    
    RE -1 
    
    should have carried him of at the start of the game.......
    
    world class striker....mmmmmmmmmmmm.

    
    RE last
    
    Archie,
    
          Was it true that he was carried off with a strain to the tear
          duct???  

    
    Steady, lads, steady..
    
    Look on the bright side...er....er.....I'll get back to you on that
    one.
    
    Actually, if we fail to qualify for the last 24, and England get
    through, then we'll have 23 teams to support!!!
    
    Archie
    

    Archie,
    
    The bright side to this defeat is that the rest of the world won't have
    to look forward to the once-ever 4 years game where Scotland lose in
    front of a TV audience of many millions to Costa Rica, Eritrea or the
    O'Higgins Boys second XI.
    
    I'm disappointed as I was hoping to  see that game in person as
    retribution for the last Scotland v Wales game (:==:)
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks (One dejected Welshman)
    
    
    
                                                         

    
    
    	RE last few,
    
    	Another great performance from our No 1 stroker,sorry striker,
    
    	No goals.........Puffy eyes.........and a very wet strip.
    
    
    	

    
    Andrew,
    	Please, let bygones be bygones. There are very few Scots who don't
    wish that Wales had gone to Argentina instead of us 8-))
        Anyway, it WAS a penalty in 1986, and it made up for the award of
    the non-goal at Hampden in that campaign.
    
    Archie
    
    

    
    Any one have a match report for this game...
    
    Neil..
    

    Re .149
    
    That is in the worst possible taste - please retract it.
    
    Rob
    

What happened to Scotland?  They were pathetic?  They were so fragile in 
defence it was palpable and the Portugese (by no means brilliant) took 
advantage.  I think any international team would have beaten Scotland on 
yesterdays performance.  Most of them looked half asleep especially the defender 
who blocked a shot right into the path of the onrushing forward for a simple 
tap in.  He might as well not bothered it would have been less embarrassing.

The only reason I can think of for such a poor performance was that a good 
proportion of the team is Rangers(?) and they have had a long, long season and
are now very tired.

                               James.

>>     <<< Note 128.145 by PAKORA::AMILLAR "And some late news just in..." >>>
    
>>    Actually, if we fail to qualify for the last 24, and England get
>>    through, then we'll have 23 teams to support!!!
    
    Brilliant note - sums up the Anti-English brigade.
    
    Paul

     In the words of that most famous Scottish football commentator;
     Arthur Montford......

     "A disaster for Scotland!"!!!!!!!!!!!!

     What would Archie make of it? ("oh dear, oh dear, oh dear"!!??)
     or indeed Uncle David? ("and what a sorry sight as McCoist trundles
     off the park"!!???)

     Jimmy

    
    A bad night for Scotland.  In the end they were lucky to escape with 5. 
    I'd love to have seen Scotland qualify.  Looks like it'll just be Wales
    and Ireland now from the home nations.
    
    Gary.

    Gary,
    
    At the risk of being pedantic the "home nation" Ireland, is Northern
    Ireland and they won't qualify. On the other hand, Ireland as in
    Republic of Ireland, still have a good chance.
    
    Secondly, while it's a shame to see Scotland beaten it's nice to see
    the best possible Scottish team in action, i.e. seven Rangers
    players including one of the best goalies in the game....
    
    Paul

    
    Oh forget it Paul.  The 5 teams in these islands are known as the
    home countries.   
    
    BTW I see that you're now supporting the orangemen.  That was some
    change of heart.  :-)  
    
    Gary.  

    
    Any chance of a match report ?, I didn't get to see the game on
    sportsnight last night so I can't comment. Also can someone put in 
    the updated table.
    
    Neil...

    
    	One hundred and fity nine entries and still no match report! Neil I 
    think this is probably as eloquent a match report as you're likely to 
    get. 
    
    	I'll phone home for the video (was it live on Scottish TV?)  I'd 
    better phone now to make sure no one's gone and done anything silly - 
    like lob the telly out the window. 
    
    Jim
    

    That Match report:-
    
    They (Portugal) scored twice in the first half.
                      Half time score 2-0.
    They (Portugal) scored three times in the second Half.
                        Full time 5-0.
     
    We (SCOTLAND) were P**H.
   
     DAVIE.
    

    Re: .157
    
    I have never read so much crap in my life as the second statement of
    this note.
    
    The "Magnificent 7" pulled out of the Germany game with "injuries" and 
    Scotland play some good football for a change and then they all
    miraculously play for their club the following saturday.
    Then Roxburgh picks them for a do or die world cup game and they are
    all shown for the "slow, past it, has beens" they really are.
    
    Some of the other noters mention the state of the Scotland
    international team and do you know what makes it funny is that they are
    right, but some people can't see it because "We must be OK, their are 
    seven Rangers players in the team".  
    
    Scotland at the moment has not got a decent international player never
    mind a world class player and I doubt if we will have in the next ten
    years, not from a nation of 5 000 000.
    
    And as Mr Roxburgh puts it..."The days of 4 or 5-0 wins at international
    level are well past!!!"
    
    Never heard him say that last night, eh lads !!!.
    
    colin
  

    So the blame for Scotland's humiliating defeat lies squarely on the
    shoulders of the Rangers players........I think not, it's deeper
    than that, a lot deeper.
    
    
                                                    SQFRSC

    
    Scotland need to build from the start maybe even get a new manager in,
    not that I'm blaming Roxburgh. McLaren,D.Ferguson,Jess,Smith,Wright,
    Durrant,Collins,D.Robertson and a few others should be involved with the 
    squad from now on with a view to taking first team places in time for
    England 96. I'm not saying they will all make the grade but, with
    nothing left to play for, they should be given their chance. Roxburgh 
    has been relying on his senior players (and rightly so) but should
    now get the youngsters in and build up their experience, either that or 
    move over and let someone else try.                     
    

    re. Getting the youngsters in...
    
    I couldn't agree more, look how well they played in the friendly
    against Germany (who played their normal team). I can't believe that 
    that squad would have lost 5-0 to Portugal.

    
    What is Roxburgh pedigree as manager has he ever managed at club
    level ?. I'm suprised the Scotland F.A havn't approached one of the 
    English based Scottish club managers to run the national side, lets
    face it some of the most successful English clubs of recent years have
    been managed by Scotsman.
    
    Neil...
     

    The Scotland team that faced Germany recently had them on the rack for
    most of the game and only went down to a spawny goal. What a shame that
    Roxburgh did'nt stick with those lads who played so well against the
    World Champions.
    
    Ian.                                                                

    re-1
    
     My God, I almost agree with Neil.....what a thought.  I think it is
    time for a change of manager for Scotland, not because Roxburgh is
    crap, just that there is no way we shall progress under the the current
    regime.  I would tend to go for a manager with a pedigree, perhaps even
    a non-Scot, to manage the side and see what they could progress to in
    the future.
    
     It is time for some of the old guard to give up the national side. 
    ie. McStay, McPherson, McInally, McKimmie, Malpas, McCoist.
    
     We are now at a stage where the young talent should be used while they
    can learn from the 4 or 5 more senior players who still warrant their
    place.
    
     Another thought would be to move Roxburgh onto re-organizing youth
    football in Scotland....lets go the way of the Dutch or something like
    that.  We now need to teach skills as opposed to training distance
    runners.  
    
     Just while we are on the subject would some of you like to put in what
    would be your team if everybody was fit. Here's mine......
    
                            Goram (Rangers)
    
     Wright (A'deen)    Gough (Rangers) McLaren (Hearts)  Robertson (Gers)
    
          McCallister (leeds)    McCall (Gers)      Collins (Celtic)
    
                                 Jess (A'deen)
                        Booth (A'deen) Ferguson (Dundee Utd)
    
    Subs- Durrant, Boyd, Henry, Creaney?, Marshall
    
      IMO,
    
     Jonno
    

    
    
    Would successful Scottish manager's of English clubs like Alex Ferguson,
    Kenny Dalglish and George Graham want to manage the international team?
    
    I know if I were in their shoes it wouldn't appeal to me. All are very
    good managers but I don't think any of them would be able to make
    Scotland world beaters.....we simply don't have the class players.
    
    Things must change at grass roots level first.
    
    Del.
    

    re. .168
    > I would tend to go for a manager with a pedigree, perhaps even
    > a non-Scot,...
    
    Brian Clough is available at the end of the season .... ;-)

    RE: 163
    
    Read carefully and you will see my reply is to .157's statement that we
    can do no wrong with "7 Rangers players in the team". I did not at any
    time say "defeat lies squarely......".
    
    At the end of my note I am saying the blame is "deeper than that, a lot
    deeper". Some similarities there, eh ??
    
    ps. my title says it all, I think.  8*)
    
    colin. 

Switzerland did themselves a power of good last night by beating Italy 1-0.
Although they were completely outclassed technically, they were well organised
in defence, and the goalkeeper Pascolo made some inspired saves - particularly
during the first half.

A decisive incident happened just befor half time when D. Baggio upended a
Swiss player in a very nasty way, and was justifiably sent off. When Italy came
out in the second half, they took off Mancini in favour of a defender, and
played for a point.

Switzerland scored in the 54th minute through Hottiger, and then held on -
despite some nervous moments when Italy had free kicks from 25 yards out.

A fortunate victory - the sending off made all of the difference. The manager,
Roy Hodgson (Former F.E.) is now a national hero, and Switzerland need 3 points
(away to Scotland and Portugal, home to one of the Baltic countries) to be sure
of going through.

    Pascolo plays for Servette here in Geneva. He is absolutely crap. Must
    have been an off day ! 
    
    Saturday night was full of Italian style hanging out of cars with
    airhorns, waving flags. The only difference is that instead of Fiat
    125's, there were convertible GTI's.
    Stupid prats.
    
    Rgds.

Historic result:

	Estonia 0 Malta 1

Malta's first ever win in the WC. 

    GASH,
    
    I believe that Malta are now only one point behind Scotland
    Can you confirm this?
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

                       P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
                      
        Switzerland    7  5  2  0  18 3    12
        Italy          7  4  2  1  15 6    10
        Portugal       5  2  2  1   8 4    6
        Scotland       5  1  2  2   3 8    4
        Malta          8  1  1  6   3 17   3
        Estonia        4  0  1  3   0 9    1
    
	Still to come...    
    
    19 May 93    Estonia     v    Scotland
    
     2 Jun 93    Scotland    v    Estonia
    
    19 Jun 93    Portugal    v    Malta
    
     5 Sep 93    Estonia     v    Portugal
    
     8 Sep 93    Scotland    v    Switzerland
    
    22 Sep 93    Estonia     v    Italy
    
    13 Oct 93    Italy       v    Scotland
                 Portugal    v    Switzerland
    
    10 Nov 93    Portugal     v    Estonia
    
    17 Nov 93    Malta        v    Scotland
    		 Italy        v    Portugal
    		 Switzerland  v    Estonia
    
    

         
         Consider the following:-
         
         Estonia - Scotland  Win for Scotland
         Scotland - Estonia  Win for Scotland
         Portugal - Malta    Win for Portugal
         Estonia - Portugal  Win for Portugal
         Scotland - Swiss    Win for Scotland
         Estonia - Italy     Win for Italy
         Italy - Scotland    Win for Scotland
         Portugal - Swiss    Win for Swiss
         Portugal - Estonia  Win for Portugal
         Malta - Scotland    Win for Scotland
         Italy - Portugal    Draw
         Swiss - Estonia     Win for Swiss
         
         The final table would be;-
         
         Switzerland   16 pts
         Scotland      14 pts
         Italy         13 pts
         Portugal      13 pts
         Malta          3 pts
         Estonia        1 pt.
         
         It would be a lot for Scotland to do, but changes have 
         to be made and a new spirit must be born in the team. It 
         also depends on the Italy-Portugal game being a draw, or 
         it would be down to goal difference.
         

    
    	I can see us do with wins over Italy and Switzerland (I am wearing 
    the very latest hi-tech tartan lenses) but I have real worries about 
    that last game against Malta!
    
    

    
    Well, the first step of my Qualification plan has fallen into place
    with Scotland winning 3-0 last night in Estonia. The excitement caused
    by this match was so intense that I forgot it was being played last
    night until I heard the score on the TV news.
    
    Don't know much about the match except that Scotland almost had the
    embarrassment of allowing Estonia to score their first ever WC goal
    when they hit the bar with Gunn well beaten, and a defender had to
    clear off the line.
    
    At this stage, the result was all that mattered.
    
    Archie
    

    
    In reply to Jonno's note (Entry .168) & after some coaxing away from the
    DAFTLAND topic 47, I agree with the potential team posted, with
    one or two exceptions............
    
    I'd have Boyd in for Robertson, but then again I would say that 8*)
    And also either Durrant or McGinlay of Hibs in for McAllister.
    The main reason being coz.......
    
    I hate McAllister !  IMHO he's p**h, always has been over-rated &
    always will be !
    

    
    
     A definite lack of interest in this note
    
     Last nights result
    
      Scotland  3   Estonia  1
    
    2 goals from Pat Nevin and 1 from Brian McLair gave Scotland a
    convincing, if unflattering victory. Last nights team of young players
    and a few of the old guard didn't look particularly good against a
    very poor international team. Estonia scored their first ever wc goal
    after the Scotland defence/midfield gave the goalscorer the freedom
    of Pittodrie to shoot home from 20 yards.
    
     The last 2 results puts us 2 points behind Italy in 2nd place so
    mathematically Scotland still have a very slim chance of qualifying.
    
     Danny.

    Danny,
    
    I wouldn't rule out Portugal who play twice before Scotland next play
    they still have to play Malta twice and Estonia twice.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.wicks

    
    
    re last
    
     Your right Andrew, but I was just trying to be very optimistic about
    Scotland's chances, in fact I'm beginning to sound like a script writer
    for Andy Roxburgh.
    
     Danny

    
    Does anyone know what the team was and who the scorers were for the
    first game against Estonia.

    
    Please see my note, number .177
    
    The plan shows that Portugal can beat all these wee teams and we can
    still qualify. The deciders will be the games between the "good" sides.
    
    Archie.
    

    well I know Archie's masterplan predicts a Portugal win tomorrow
    against Malta but i'm sure he wouldn't mind a draw?
    
    regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    A draw would be great, Andrew, but Portugal can be a difficult place to
    get a result ;-)
    
    Archie
    

    
    
    	    What was the result from tonights game....
    
    	 					  Eck
    

    
    Portugal beat Malta 4-0.
    
    Del.

    
    Estonia 0 Portugal 2
    
                    Group 1
                                GP    W    D    L    GF    GA   Pts MxPts
            Switzerland         7    5    2    0    18     4    12  18
            Portugal            7    4    2    1    14     4    10  16
            Italy               7    4    2    1    15     6    10  16
            Scotland            7    3    2    2    10     9     8  14
            Malta               9    1    1    7     3    21     3   4
            Estonia             7    0    1    6     1    17     1   7
    
    
                    Group1
                            08.09.93: Scotland-Switzerland
                            22.09.93: Estonia-Italy
                            13.10.93: Portugal-Switzerland
                            13.10.93: Italy-Scotland
                            10.11.93: Portugal-Estonia
                            17.11.93: Italy-Portugal
                            17.11.93: Malta-Scotland
                            17.11.93: Switzerland-Estonia
           

    
    Prediction for tonight....
    
    
    Scotland 2  Switzerland 0
    
    durie
    jess

    
    And now for a SENSIBLE prediction.......
    
    Scotland..........0  Switzerland.........1
                         Knupp(sp?)
    
    
    With the mingin/boufin team that Roxburgh has picked, that'll be a good
    result !
    
    

    
    
    Scotland 1   Switzerland 1
    
    by all accounts a very good performance but a disappointing result.
    
    Ta Ta W.C
    
    Del.

    comisserations from another country that blew a lead ...
    with both Italy and Portugal having a game in hand you're now
    relying on some combinations of results being favourable since the top
    3 all have to play each other.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.wicks

   Iam glad for the Swiss that they got a result (no offense to any fellow 
celts). But even if they had won last night they would have probably lost to
Italy and that would have ended the dreams of both the Scots and the Swiss.
They also deserved a draw, and came very close to snatching a win in the last
second. I enjoyed this game a lot, good end to end football and it was very
clean game. 

   Ye'll be back again, there's seems to be a lot of young players coming up
which is a great asset to any team.

                                                                   -dave-

    Ok so I fell in home at 2:30 and found the game on Spanish tv. I know i
    was pissed because Scotland looked the far better of two medium teams.
    Heavens above even donkey Durie looked good !  Collins looked to have a
    reasonable game but the rest average.
    
    Good result for Sitzerland who surely must now qualify, but I fancy
    portugal may cause an upset by nicking second place ahead of Italy.
    Then that will mean two world cup regulars not reaching the final !
    
    Facinating to listen to the Spanish commentators saying how much better
    Scotland would have been if they had had their best players like
    Alistair Mccoist, Goram and [I swear I heard this] Ally Maxwell !
    Well it was 2:30 in the morning.
    
    Denis

    re: -1

    Facinating to listen to the Spanish commentators saying ......

	
    You must have been drunk Den coz you can't speak spanish !!!!!

    
    For Scotland now to qualify, we would have to really hammer Italy, so
    that our goal difference was the better of ourselves, Italy and
    Portugal, because we could all finish on 13 points. Apart from this we
    would need some of the smaller nations to upset either (or both) Italy
    or Portugal. 
    
    On the positive side, the team played well without the Prima Donnas and
    I hope that many of the missing "superstars" are never recalled to the
    side. These younger players have now shown against Germany and
    Switzerland that they have the appetite and enthusiasm to give 100% for
    their country. Mind you, I'd still like to know what Gunn was thinking
    about when he pulled down the Swiss player. Surely he could see the
    defenders were running in to cover the goal.
    
    All in all, I think that non-qualification could be the rebirth of the
    national side. I'd hate to stumble through to the finals and have to
    watch the same old story again. 
    
    Archie

    
    Andy Roxburgh resigned today as Scottish coach. He will retain his
    position as Technical Director. Craig Brown, his assistant, will be
    caretaker boss for the games against Italy and Malta. Craig Brown has
    had a lot of success with the under age squads in recent years, and it
    would not surprise me, although it would disappoint me, if he became
    the successor to Andy Roxburgh. I would prefer the new boss to come
    from the 1974 squad which I beleive was the best, and I would go for
    Billy Bremner.
    
    Archie.
    

    Archie,
    
    what were his reasons? I mean they're not actually out of the World Cup
    yet. 
    
    Brian Clough and Terry venables are available!
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    
     What about Ally McCloud @:^)) He's the master of hype,Anyone who can
    work fans up so much that 30 000 of them(bet you were there Archie) 
    turn up to wave the team off is ok in my book.
    
     SCott

Aargghh. What are you saying?

I think I have voiced my reservations about Bremner before, but he's probably
worth slandering twice. What sort of qualification is it to have turned a
half-decent team that came second in the FA youth championship (Doncaster
Rovers) into a no-talent bunch of old crocks languishing hopelessly at the
bottom of the fourth division (when there was such a thing)?

We're still trying to recover from the damage he did us.

I know that his ambition is to be Scotland manager, but please, don't do it to
yourself.

Mike

    
    OK, I admit that I was at Hampden (When it had a North Stand) to wave
    to the team. I still admire Ally McLoed for actually getting me to do
    that! I even ran a bus to it from my work at that time - and the bus
    was packed.
    
    Newspapers today seem to be of the opinion that the SFA will take the
    easy option and go for Craig Brown if he makes a reasonable job, ie
    none of the players get killed, presumably, in the 2 final WC matches.
    
    The run of 5 in a row for the WC looks over, will it be the end at 1 in
    a row for the Euro championships. I'm almost saying "Who cares?" so
    maybe it's time to bring Ally back.
    
    Archie.
    

    Tallin, 22 Sept. 1993
    
    Estonia	-	Italia	: 0 - 3
    
    			R.Baggio (pk)
    			R.Mancini
    			R.Baggio
    
    A very boring match. 
    Italy win because... more technical team.

            Group 1
                                GP   W    D    L    GF    GA   Pts MxPts
            Switzerland         8    5    3    0    20     6    13  17
            Italy               8    5    2    1    18     6    12  16
            Portugal            7    4    2    1    14     4    10  16
            Scotland            8    3    3    2    11    10     9  13
            Malta               9    1    1    7     3    21     3   4
            Estonia             8    0    1    7     1    20     1   5
    
    
                    Group1
                            13.10.93: Portugal-Switzerland
                            13.10.93: Italy-Scotland
                            10.11.93: Portugal-Estonia
                            17.11.93: Italy-Portugal
                            17.11.93: Malta-Scotland
                            17.11.93: Switzerland-Estonia

    I think switzerland should be GF 19 GA 5
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.wicks

    Could someone post the time for tomorrow's matches?
    Does anyone know the Portuguese lineup?  Let's hope it is something
    like this:
    
    				Baia
    
    Abel Xavier			Fernando Couto		Jorge Costa
    				Oceano
    
    Figo			Peixe			Paulo Sousa
    
    Rui Barros			Joao Pinto II		Futre
    				(or Cadete)
    
    If they use that lineup they might beat Switzerland by 3 to 0!!!!!!
    The group will look very interesting if Portugal beat Switzerland.
    I believe the group will end up with Portugal, Switzerland, and Italy
    tied with 15 points.
    
    Good luck Portugal, hope to see you in 94!
    
    Joe

    
    
      Is anybody there? Is there an international tomorrow night? Does
     anybody care?
    
      The lack of interest in this note reflects the current lack of 
     interest in the Scottish international scene. For that reason, I
     hope that Scotland get stuffed in Rome tomorrow night and fail
     miserably against Malta next month. Maybe then, the so called top
     men running Scottish football will get their fingers out and make
     the changes necessary to get Scottish football on the up again.
     However, as Gerry Mcnee would say, the dinosaurs at Jurrasic Park
     Gardens will be happy to keep Craig Brown as manager. He won't rock
     the boat and will be happy to go along with the wishes of the SFA.
    
      Danny.
    
    ps What about Brown's comments on Paul McStay. "Paul hasn't played
      a bad game for Scotland, he's only played good or very good games".
      Aye right, that's like saying I've never played a bad round of golf!
      McStay has around 65 caps for Scotland, he's probably played about
      25 decent games, mostly when he was in his teens/early 20's.
    
     

    
    NO! no one is interested, it really sums up ther state of Scottish 
    football when your surporters would rather comment on the English
    hooligans than there own national footballing side...Sad really...
    
    Neil.....

    
    Well, Danny, you might not realise this (although I hope the Scotland
    team do), but you've got a real chance of pulling off something of a
    shock tonight. Italy are without Maldini, Albertini, Signori,
    Vierchowod, Fortunato and Mancini tonight. Add to that the fact that
    Dino Baggio, Eranio and Roberto Baggio are all carrying knocks, and
    that Italy don't seem to be in great form at the moment, and you have
    all the makings of an upset.
    
    I think Scotland should go for the win, and judging by the team that
    Brown's put out, he might just be thinking the same thing.
    
    Dom
    
    P.S. Italy also have two players making their debuts: Stroppa and
    Mussi. 

    Joe.
    
    Kick off is at 21.00.
    
    Lineups is probably as follows.
    
    
    				Pascolo
    
    	Hottiger	Herr		Geiger		Quentin
    
    	Ohrel		Sforza		Bregy		A.Sutter
    
    		Knup				Chapuisat
    
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    
    		Cadete or Barros		P.Futre
    
    	J.Semedo	V.Pinto		V.Paneira	D.Pinto
    
    				P.Sousa
    
    		Costa				Cruz
    
    				Peixe
    
    				Baia
    
    
    
    
    Cheers, Paul
    
    Btw I think Switzerland will beat Portugal but don't hold me to it :-)
    

    IF
    Switzerland beat Portugal
    AND
    Scotland beat Italy
    AND
    Portugal beat Italy
    AND
    Scotland beat Malta
    
    WE QUALIFY
    
    DAVE WOOD

    
    You seem to have forgetten that Portugal still have to play the
    Estonians in Lisbon !!!!!
    
    

    Alright, alright, we'll still be eating burgers in the US,

    IF    Switzerland beat Portugal
    AND   Scotland beat Italy
    AND   Portugal beat Italy
    AND   Scotland beat Malta
    AND   Estonia beat Portugal 
    
    WE QUALIFY

    It all looks perfectly reasonable to me, the only doubt in the 
    remaining games seems to be if the Swiss will beat Estonia.
    The plucky Estonians will certainly be bolstered by their fabulous 
    victory in Portugal and I'm sure they'll be a hard side to beat 
    afterwards. 

    I reckon.
    
    DAVE WOOD
    

                      <<< Note 128.215 by PRSIS4::WOOD >>>
                -< O flower of Scotland, when will we see . .  >-

>     AND   Estonia beat Portugal 

      AND pigs fly....

                          James.

    
    RE: -212      
    
    Do you know why Corminboeuf is not playing ?
    
    He is a great keeper, one of the very best in Europe at the moment.
    
    PYV

    
    PYV
    
    Pascolo has been the first choice keeper for about 18 months now (I
    think) and has recently had some magnificent games, particularly 
    against Italy, where he almost single handedly kept the Italians 
    from scoring.
    
    I don't know much about Corminboeuf but his club trainer (Racing 
    Strasbourg????) has had some sort of personal bust up with the swiss
    trainer and has I believe stated that Corminboeuf would not be released
    for any swiss internationals.
    
    According to the press though Roy Hodgson has considered giving
    Corminboeuf a call-up.
    
    Paul

    
    	Paul,
    
    	Thanks a lot for the update.
    	Did'nt know Pascolo was operating for 18 months.
    
        Regards
    	Pierre-Yves

    
    Italy 3 Scotland 1
    
    Good luck Italy in the finals....

    Did italy qualify? I thought that was dependent on the Portugal result

    Don't have the final Portugal score but they were leading switzerland 
    1-0. whilst scotland are now out the table below shows that Italy
    aren't through yet. I guess Portugal won because the report said
    only Norway definitely qualified (a win for Switz would have done them)
    
                Group 1
                                   GP    W    D    L    GF    GA   Pts  
                Italy               9    6    2    1    21     7    14   
                Switzerland         8    5    3    0    19     5    13   
                Portugal            7    4    2    1    14     4    10   
                Scotland            9    3    3    3    12    13     9   
                Malta               9    1    1    7     3    21     3    
                Estonia             8    0    1    7     1    20     1    


		Group1
                        13.10.93: Portugal-Switzerland   
                        13.10.93: Italy-Scotland	 3-1
                        10.11.93: Portugal-Estonia
                        17.11.93: Italy-Portugal
                        17.11.93: Malta-Scotland
                        17.11.93: Switzerland-Estonia
                                                                           

    
    Portugal 	1-0 	Switzerland.
    
    9' Jo�o V. Pinto
    
    
    At least I got the Portuguese half of the score correct.
    
    Portugal started the game meaning business and could have been 3
    or 4 nil up within twenty minutes.
    
    Sitzerlands only real chances both came from portuguese `back passes'. 
    Jo�o D.Pintos smashing a Chapuisat cross onto his own crossbar which
    would have been a classic own goal in the 35th minute, and in the 46th
    minute when a Alain Sutter volley was deflected onto the Portuguese
    post.
    
    A very physical game but not dirty with 3 bookings. The portugeuse 
    are going to become a very good team. They've got a lot of young 
    players and in Carlos Queiroz a good trainer. I think he won 
    the U19's WC or similar.
    
    
    
                Italy               9    6    2    1    21     7    14   
                Switzerland         9    5    3    1    19     6    13   
                Portugal            8    5    2    1    15     4    12   
                Scotland            9    3    3    3    12    13     9   
                Malta               9    1    1    7     3    21     3    
                Estonia             8    0    1    7     1    20     1    
    
                        10.11.93: Portugal-Estonia
                        17.11.93: Italy-Portugal
                        17.11.93: Malta-Scotland
                        17.11.93: Switzerland-Estonia
    
    
    Three games to go. Assuming Portugal beat Estonia the crunch match is
    Italy-Portugal. 
    
    If it's a draw then CH need to beat estonia by a two goal margin.
    If either wins then CH would probably need a 2-2 or higher draw.

    If the Italy Portugal game finishes in adraw then Italy will miss out
    
    BTW this game is now advertised as *LIVE* on TV in the U.S should be
    a bugger to find an Italian restaurant open on the 17th.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    oh of course assuming Estonia lose both their games

   > oh of course assuming Estonia lose both their games
    
    Portugal need to win by 4 or more goals against Estonia to make their
    goal difference better than the Italians. Then, as you say, assuming
    that Switzerland beat Estonia, a draw would not be sufficient for
    Italy.
    
    Terry

    Yes, Portugal makes the group interesting again!  They should have won
    by 3 or 4 but that's life.  Let's hope that Portugal put in Figo and
    Abel Xavier in place of Semedo and Joao Pinto I (the one that almost
    gave Switzerland the tie not the goal scorer) respectively for the next
    match.  
    
    The current portuguese trainer won 2 consecutive WC U19.  Half of the
    national squad played on one or both of those teams.
    
    4 against Estonia is highly probable, considering Rui Barros didn't
    even play yesterday.  Just ask Scotland what it is like to have Paulo
    Futre and Rui Barros coming at you.
    
    p.s.  Hope to see Joao Pinto II, Rui Barros, and Paulo Futre on the
    forward line together, could be devastating to say the least!!
    			See you in 94
    
    Joe

    
    Portugal blew it.  They beat Estonia 3-0 but needed 4.  They now need
    to win in Italy to qualify. A 4-0 win and a draw in Italy would have
    sufficed.
    
                    Group 1
                                       GP    W    D    L    GF    GA   Pts 
    
                    Italy               9    6    2    1    21     7    14  
    
                    Portugal            9    6    2    1    18     4    14  
    
                    Switzerland         9    5    3    1    19     6    13  
    
                    Scotland            9    3    3    3    12    13     9  
    
                    Malta               9    1    1    7     3    21     3   
    
                    Estonia             9    0    1    8     1    23     1   
    
    
    
                    Group1
                            17.11.93: Italy-Portugal
                            17.11.93: Malta-Scotland
                            17.11.93: Switzerland-Estonia  

    Hi Gary,
    
    What happens if Italy and Portugal draw, and Switzerland beat Estonia
    1-0. By my reckoning that would put Italy, Portugal and Switzerland on
    the same points with the same goal difference.
    
    Would Switzerland go through because of their world ranking (;-), or is
    there some other way of deciding ?
    
    Jerry.
    
    P.S.: I'm working in Switzerland, so I'ld like to see an Ireland .v.
    Switzerland final next Summer. Then I wouldn't care who won (as long as
    Ireland scored at least two goals more than Switzerland !!! -:;).

    	Jerry, assuming your reckoning is correct (that would be a first
    for starters!) then after goal difference, the number of goals scored
    is used to determin position. In this case Italy would top the group
    and Switzerland / Portugal would depend how many Portugal scored in
    their draw with Italy. If the drew 1:1 then Switzerland go through. If
    they drew 3:3 then Portugal go through. If they drew 2:2 the goals
    scored would also be the same and the positions are then decided by the
    results of the matches between the two nations. In Bern, Switzerland
    drew 1:1 with Portugal. In Portugal, Switzerland lost 0:1, so Portugal
    would qualify!
    
    	Seeing as Swizerland put 5 past the Estonians away, I guess
    Portugal better look out for themselves!
    
    JBG
    

    
    Jerry, 
    
    
    goals scored are used. If thats the same i.e. if Italy-Portugal is a 
    2-2 draw then the results between the two countries would be used.
    
    If the scores were 
    
    	Italy 2 - 2 Portugal and Switzerland 1 - 0 Estonia
    
    the table would be 
    
                           GP    W    D    L    GF  GA  GD   Pts 
    
        Italy              10    6    3    1    23   9  +14  15  
        Portugal           10    6    3    1    20   6  +14  15  
        Switzerland        10    6    3    1    20   6  +14  15  
    
    Italy would qualify because of the goals scored rule.
     
    Portugal would qualify because they Drew in Bern and won in Lisbon
    
    Paul
    
    Who was hoping it would be a CH - England Final. Blame Taylor!!! :)

    Wow,  Stereo Notes !!!
    
    Thanks guys !
    
    Jerry.

    Luis, do you know the lineup for Portugal?  I know Oceano is can't
    play.  Hopefully, they will use Peixe.  Would like to see Rui Costa, 
    Paulo Sousa, and Figo at midfield.  I know that won't happen, since it
    hasn't happen yet.
    How's the atmosphere in Portugal?  Do they think Portugal will qualify?
    Would love to be Lisbon if they beat Italy.  Yes, I remember it well.
    
    Here in the States, the Portuguese will be glued to the T.V.  It will
    be televised on ESPN starting at 2:30 EST.  For those who can receive
    RT2, they will be transmitting also.  Great listening to it with the 
    Portuguese commentary.
    
    There are even a bunch of Portuguese New Englanders that will be in 
    Milan.  Wouldn't want to be them if Portugal wins!
    
    Best of luck Portugal and hopefully see you in 94!
    
    Joe

    Joe,
    
    Hopefully ESPN will be updating the scores from the important game
    in Cardiff too!
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks 

    Hi Joe,
    
    Here in Portugal "hope" is the word...
    We, portuguese fans,know that our team is playing a very good football
    but that might not be enough....It will be very unfair if this young
    team doesn`t get the qualification.Queiroz is doing a wonderful job!
    Against Estonia we were 100 000 at Luz stadium!I was there too.What a
    desilusion,Portugal did one of it`s most well played games but we were
    no lucky at all!
    Today ,the all country will stop at 20.30!
    About the team,we don`t know yet the 11 players that will start the
    game but it goes something like this:
    
    				V.Baia
    
    J.Pinto		F.Couto		J.Costa		Veloso(Nogueira)
    
    
    				Peixe
    		P.Sousa				R.Costa
    
    	J.Pinto II		R.Barros		Futre
    
    
    We could also have V.Paneira on the right instead of Peixe. P.Sousa
    would be the libero.
    Let`s wait and see...
    
    Cheers,
    Luis.

    good luck tonight Portugal. You deserve to go to the USA. Mind you...
    the five goals scored against us were lucky 8^)))).
    
    Good luck.

    Regarding a few back....
    
    Come on Joe get real! Do you really think Portugal will beat Italy?
    
    Mind you, if they do, I will eat my hat! And I will have you put salt
    on it in one of our friendly games. (:^>
    
    Good luck to both... may the best team win. 
    
    Nick

    
    
    Malta  0  Scotland 2
    
    
    Del.

    Any news from the other games?

    Italy 1 Portugal 0    Dino Baggio
    don't know switzerland v Estonia but Switz qualify anyhow.
    
    Sorry to all the Portuguese guys in here.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.wicks

    Good luck to Italy and Swizerland!They deserved the qualification.
    But portuguese team is alive and kicking!You`ll see....
    
    Cheers,
    Luis.

    Best of luck to Italy and Switzerland in 94.
    
    They asked the Portuguese trainer if he would continue with the
    national team.  He responded that they have to clean up the trash in
    the Portuguese Soccer Federation!  Should get some interesting
    reactions in Portugal.  Luis, could you keep us posted.
    
    p.s.  Nick I guess you have Italian cuisine instead.
    
    Joe

    
    
    Portuguese football federation announced yesterday that Queiroz might
    be punished...His declarations "shook" the football world hear in
    Portugal.There are rumours of an invitment of the Arabia Saudita
    federation for the USA world cup...
    Let`s wait and see...
    
    Luis.