England's loser millionaires have become too accustomed to processions at club level and now struggle when confronted by an honest challenge (Croatia). I'm sure half of them think they're doing us a favour pulling on an England shirt. Rispek? Don't think so.....

mark, bethesda, wales

russia are just talking horses, always look good going into a tournament and fail to deliver, watch and see

steve , chelmsfrod,

This English antangonism towards other European nations is frankly immature and tiresome. Likewise the Welsh/Scottish antagonism towards England.
I suggest that the 'something deep-seated and primal' is in fact simply jealousy.

laurence, bristol,

Actually Peter Croft it is like watching England vs anyone.

Billy Barnett, HK,

What is wrong with just liking a good game, who cares who's playing. 15-20 years ago I couldn't stand Arsenal, now I love watching them. Same goes for any International team, last WC, Germany-good footie, England couldn't string together 3 passes-bad footie.
I follow football, not BNP policy.

GB, toronto, canada

Hey Rob, "But something deep-seated and primal stops me supporting the Germans" Now you how the other nations of these isles feel about supporting 'unger-land' I agree with the Welshman, it will make a nice change not to see the papers full of the usual 'unglish' garbage!

ed, London, UK

As a Welshman, it's nice to be able to enjoy a tournament without the tabloids screaming about how Ingerlund are dead certs to win. With Lumpard and chums off on their holidays too, that means the guaranteed five games of dull lifeless football might be replaced with decent displays from real teams.

Dan X, Cardiff, Wales

Now I know how all the non-football fans feel when England DO qualify for some tournament. What a load of fuss - when does it finish and when can Scolari turn down Chelsea and leave them looking for their 17th choice for manager!!

Graham, Pattaya, Thailand

Reportedly Abu Hamza was handling practice explosive
<br/>which was about to explode so to prevent others being injured
<br/>he rushed to carry it outdoors &amp; that's how he lost his hands.
<br/>Comments should be made about his only caring about his friends &amp; not intended victims. Still,don't make cruel gibes.

Joan Moira Peters , Whangarei UK Citizen, temp o/seas in NZ

"Sheikh Abu Hamza to juggle"
Brilliant!

Addie, Mancunia, England

Something deep-seated and primal stops me reading or listening to Liddle.

Adam Morcinek, Loughborough,

Let's get rid of football & discover another sporting obsession. It is simply an opium or religion for many.

ian cheese, london, uk

Utter dribble and boring to boot. Who gives a tinkers toss.
England are out because... what, we are brilliant at football?
When we actually get a team of footballers and not overpaid layabouts masquerading as sportsmen it might actually be worth watching when there's nothing else on the box.

David Smith, Stourbridge, UK

Go on Mr Liddle! Always on point...Loved the article, in a wierd way it actually reflects the views of me and a lot of my mates on the Euros............

Manny, London,

This reporter won't support Germany or France, I suspect, due to his raging inferiority complex. England is a country where national culture is seen as 'embarrassing', where global or European power held is minimal. The English know that France & Germany also offer a vastly superior quality of life

AK, London,

Well done kingkerouac, by using the objectionable slang term for Middlesbrough fans (when you could have just said Middlesbrough fans), you've successfully lowered the tone of the comment thread. You wouldn't be too pleased if I called Newcastle fans skunks, would you?

Neil S, Glasgow, Scotland

It's uncanny - your analysis is precisely the same as mine! To the letter. I do wish the BBC would drop those hype-ads (Iknow they can't, of course.) But am I really supposed to believe that some sentient Englishman gives a monkeys whether the big boy at the front for Russia,Tostovski, done good?

Hugh Wain, Mortimer, England

Peter Croft, Cambridge, Cambs

yes get the anti- jock jibes in no matter what eh?

france & scotland have one thing in common - the english like to live in those countries.

alan robertson, edinburgh , lothian

hilarious!
not to be taken literally, with the exception of the Spain/Newcastle comparison.

Ian, Richmond, USA/VA

Rod Liddle is a Smoggie.
For those of you from the south-east who don't really know much about football bar ManUre and Chelski (Arsenal exempted). Smoggys are people from Middlesbrough.
Everytime Rod Liddle mentions Newcastle United he has to be disparaging. He compares the Toon to Spain. Thanks.

kingkerouac, London,

Hello maybe your paper can help..

Another teenager stabbed today.

I'm worried

Worried for my children.

These stabbings are becoming daily news items.

My children think it's normal behaviour.

It's starting to become acceptable

CAN YOUR PAPER DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

DOES YOUR PAPER WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

I really feel zero tolerance needs to be implemented.
I'm sure your paper can help.

I look forward to your reply.


Mrs E.M. Finnegan

Liz Finnegan, solihull, uk

Please can terry wogan commentate, please...............

alicia ross, London, UK

There is nothing xenophobic about this article at all - it is a spot-on analysis of contemporary European international football (apart from apparently ignoring the fact that Holland won in 1988).

I say, "contemporary", because, in 1984, a very talented French side beat a very talented Portugal.

Kevin, London,

We will really miss the English coming to the party,its going to be a huge festival of football, something to remember for years to come. The preparations are almost finished, in the last few days we have put up a poster outside the train station and there was a 5 line article in the local paper.

Matt, Geneva, Switzerland

It sounds sourly and grumpy - but I believe it's the way the subconscious tends to be: I appreciate the frankness of it (and self-irony too). Imagine what it is like to watch Champions League finals every year for a Czech - disinterested interest of somebody who likes football is the way to do it.

Milan, Brno, Czech republic

"Spain, the Newcastle United of international football, a nation which thinks itself terribly good at football, when all the available evidence, both historic and contemporary, strongly suggests the contrary."
Surely, you are describing England here.

Pavlos, London,

An absolute marvelous article that hits the nail on the head.

Andy Hedges, London, England

"But something deep-seated and primal stops me supporting the Germans" - why? Such a statement isn't to be taken for granted in 2008 and needs to be explained!

Ever heard of 2 world wars Sharon??...I know its a long time ago, but thats why its "deep-seated"....Hope that clears it up

James Lear, City, UK

This is precisely the reason why England is stuck in no-man's land. Such nationalist football-ignorants have forgotten to admire the game and instead run after celebrity. In other nations who don't qualify, such a column is impossible as everybody is first and foremost a football fan.

Fred Caprivi, Manchester,

Why oh why do you have to keep changing the format of The Times.... This mornings "times 2" is the final straw !!!!

c p wickes, peterborough, uk

"But something deep-seated and primal stops me supporting the Germans" - why? Such a statement isn't to be taken for granted in 2008 and needs to be explained!

Sharon, Borehamwood, UK

I don't want them all to lose I just don't care enough about any of them. Great article as always but the McCann remark was a cheap shot.

Alison, Exeter, UK

The article is so boring, I could only read the first paragraph! Well it is about football isn't it.

James Bradley, Southampton,

I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments as regards supporting Germany. Although, in my case , substitute Germany for England. At least this summer they won't be renaming popular confectionery items in anticipation of inevitable triumph.

Colm Dalton, london, uk

I know its bit of fun. And I did laugh a lot, it's a well-written article. Though it also leaves a bitter aftertaste, reminding me just how Europhobic the average Englishman is.
You could do this: leave the EU, declare yourself geographical part of North America, and play there. You might win!

rk, London, United Kingdom

Rod said, "Nor do Spain, the Newcastle United of international football, a nation which thinks itself terribly good at football, when all the available evidence, both historic and contemporary, strongly suggests the contrary."

Hmmmmmm. Any other country you know that fits that description, Rod? :)

George, Brussels, Belgium

I don't know what all the fuss is about. As a Welshman football is always like this.

jeffP, Newport, Wales

The English team will probably win in the next century. Till then we all should cheer Eastern European countries. Everytime we qualify for any competetion we can always talk about 1966!

Minu, London, UK

Good thinking man, It is rather like a Scotland France rugby match, you want the rules of the game changed so that both sides can be catastrophically defeated.

Peter Croft, Cambridge, Cambs

Good parenting. Yes, well done.

M, London, UK