Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
@sundersays.bsky.social
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Director of @britishfuture.bsky.social Author How to be a Patriot https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-a-patriot-why-love-of-country-can-end-our-very-british-culture-war-sunder-katwala?variant=40518936559694 Evertonian
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Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
benstanley.eu
Glad that in Tuchel England seem to have a manager who understands that (a) you pick teams to win matches, not to play players, and (b) if you have a Rolls Royce, you don’t have to use it to get the shopping in.
sundersays.bsky.social
"Tuchel is selecting from the most talented group of English footballers ever"
sundersays.bsky.social
Are the headlines somewhat overhyping the Bellingham dilemma for Tuchel and England?
sundersays.bsky.social
It is a good opportunity for Thomas Tuchel for England to get to play the final three qualifying group games under very little pressure for results: any 3 points, or just a draw in Albania, to confirm qualification.
sundersays.bsky.social
There are video clips online of crowds flying flags & honking horns in Pristina, Kosovo, to celebrate Albania beating Serbia. (Kosovo go to Sweden on Monday)
sundersays.bsky.social
Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri used the symbol to cekebrate scoring Switzerland against Serbia at the 2018 World Cup. The Swiss players & their families are from Kosovo
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-e...
'Double eagle' celebration provokes Serbs
Both Switzerland's goals in the victory over Serbia were scored by ethnic Kosovan Albanians.
www.bbc.co.uk
sundersays.bsky.social
The Albanian goalscorer got a yellow card for celebrating with an eagle hands gesture, representing the symbol on the Albanian flag. Fifa consider this a political gesture. Serbs consider it provocative. Their fans sang "Kill, kill the Albanians" in response, which is more than provocative
sundersays.bsky.social
If England win in Latvia on Tuesday, they are through to the World Cup as group winners.

If England draw/ lose, could confirm qualify by beating Serbia at Wembley on 13 Nov

If lost both, a point in Albania would still be enough!

(2 draws v Latvia & Serbia + could qualify if just avoid heavy loss)
sundersays.bsky.social
Big win for Albania in Serbia. If they win in Andorra, they will almost certainly make the play-offs. (Serbia would have to win at Wembley to stay in it).

England just need a draw in Albania to win the group (or a win either against Latvia or v Serbia to guarantee qualification earlier)
sundersays.bsky.social
If they can beat them 8-0 they should do it!
sundersays.bsky.social
I think all of these hypotheticals may not prove a nailbiter!
sundersays.bsky.social
Serbia's supporters may get their FA into trouble with the chanting of Kill the Albanians, with Albania scoring in the last moments of the first half
sundersays.bsky.social
Albania could only get 15 if they draw tonight, so 16 is beyond them
sundersays.bsky.social
sundersays.bsky.social
A draw at Wembley against Serbia would be enough, or any 3 points from the other 2 games
sundersays.bsky.social
A draw at Wembley against Serbia would be enough, or any 3 points from the other 2 games
sundersays.bsky.social
Yes, a draw would make Albania 15 and Serbia 17 their maximum (if both beat England) so England would just need to draw at Wembley against Serbia, or beat Latvia, to guarantee being above both
sundersays.bsky.social
If Serbia equalise and drew, England would have won the group, maybe needing a point mathematically from the 3 games
sundersays.bsky.social
Impressive if Albania do win tonight & put themselves in a very strong place to reach the play-offs ahead of Serbia
sundersays.bsky.social
Any 3 points from 3 games would guarantee winning the group!
sundersays.bsky.social
Albania are winning in Serbia. If they hold on, they could get 17 points by beating Andorra & then beating England

England can go to Albania having won the group if win in Latvia, or win at Wembley vs Serbia. If we win neither, we may need a point in Albania to win the group