10th October
The problem with writing one sentence promising to come back to flesh out a blog later is that by the time I do come back to flesh it out, I have little recollection about what was happening on the day in question. Even if that day was only five days ago. I mostly recall a busy day at work with mostly nice people and watching Wales qualify for their first major international tournament since 1958 despite losing 2-0 to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
People seemingly hate it when I talk about football so I won't bore everyone again. But I shall congratulate the Welsh on a terrific achievement, even if I suspect that they will come a cropper against more illustrious opposition in France next summer. That result began a late surge for Bosnia-Herzegovina who (along with Ukraine, Sweden and Hungary) will have a two-legged play off next month against Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Norway or Slovenia for one of the four remaining spaces at Euro 2016.
The tournament's expansion from 16 to 24 teams has meant that some of the continent's minnows will be joining the finals. Perhaps the best story is Albania's, captained by former Sunderland player Lorik Cana*, who will be playing in a major tournament for the first time. Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Iceland are the other debutants along with the Welsh. Northern Ireland topping their group with a team who are a great deal more that the sum of their parts should also not be overlooked.
Apparently 10th October was also the day Fiji became independent in 1970. Hooray for Fiji!
*I liked Cana, a big midfielder who always "put a shift in" to use one of football's many irksome cliches.
People seemingly hate it when I talk about football so I won't bore everyone again. But I shall congratulate the Welsh on a terrific achievement, even if I suspect that they will come a cropper against more illustrious opposition in France next summer. That result began a late surge for Bosnia-Herzegovina who (along with Ukraine, Sweden and Hungary) will have a two-legged play off next month against Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Norway or Slovenia for one of the four remaining spaces at Euro 2016.
The tournament's expansion from 16 to 24 teams has meant that some of the continent's minnows will be joining the finals. Perhaps the best story is Albania's, captained by former Sunderland player Lorik Cana*, who will be playing in a major tournament for the first time. Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Iceland are the other debutants along with the Welsh. Northern Ireland topping their group with a team who are a great deal more that the sum of their parts should also not be overlooked.
Apparently 10th October was also the day Fiji became independent in 1970. Hooray for Fiji!
*I liked Cana, a big midfielder who always "put a shift in" to use one of football's many irksome cliches.
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