World Cup: South Africa 2010

[The Doctor]

I take it that you are either very young or not very bright (or both) so I'll go easy on you. First a bit of advice: when confronted with something unfamiliar check it out first before making your move - it can save an awful lot of embarrassment later.

The term 'anglosphere' denotes the English speaking world. Some use it to refer only to the white anglo saxon countries whilst others add to that many British Commonwealth countries.

Most countries (including some anglospheric ones under the broader definition) have strict anti gaming, gambling, speculation laws in force that restrict (or prohibit altogether) the activities of bookmakers. These laws were often modelled on the laws that were in force in your country for well over a century and not repealed until the 1960's (you had to go to the track to bet on the horses and the dogs and the pools were your only option for a flutter on the football).

Serbia have only played in three World Cup and three European Cup competitions (we could not compete until 1996). We reached the round of sixteen in France '98 (same as you) and the QF in Euro 2000 (better than you). We did not qualify for Japan 2002 and reached the group stages in Germany 2006. We have not qualified for the Euro's since 2000 (and you didn't in 2008). We are currently top of our WC group (which, according to FIFA's criteria, is a full 20% harder than your group).

Considering ours is a new country with a small population and few resources that is a good record (especially when you bear in mind that we have never been seeded UNLIKE SOME). You, on the other hand, are a large, rich country with the longest tradition in the sport.

Yet you have only ever made one football final and even that was on home soil (it could be argued that Greece's win at Euro 2004 was a greater achievement - they had to qualify for a sixteen team tournament held abroad and beat the hosts in the final).

NB To those desperate to spleen vent: this is not meant as another dig at England but rather a put down of a football jingoist who considers a home win over Andorra a national triumph.

in a group with the two world finalists and the Ukraine. I would say that group was a lot harder than the group you had.

i haven't. England have but i haven't and it is still one more than Serbia.

P.S. For those still working out how the two WC finalists were in my teams group but not englands its because i follow scotland more than england. I am merely arguing with a caravan because i've got to find something to do during pre-season

[shen]

in a group with the two world finalists and the Ukraine. I would say that group was a lot harder than the group you had.

i haven't. England have but i haven't and it is still one more than Serbia.

P.S. For those still working out how the two WC finalists were in my teams group but not englands its because i follow scotland more than england. I am merely arguing with a caravan because i've got to find something to do during pre-season

That did not make a whole lot of sense, and Scotland has nothing to do with Caravans argument...

[The Doctor]

That did not make a whole lot of sense, and Scotland has nothing to do with Caravans argument...

Caravan said that they (serbia) didn't make euro 2008, neither did england but i decided he was actually saying the nation i support didn't make euro 2008 so i pointed out that the nation i support (scotland) had a harder group than serbia. then he said "you've only reached one major final". well as i hadn't been born at that point and i'm not the england team of '66 i didn't make a major final making that utter rubbish.

basically i twisted caravans arguement to make my point, even though my point had nothing to do with his arguement.

[shen]

Caravan said that they (serbia) didn't make euro 2008, neither did england but i decided he was actually saying the nation i support didn't make euro 2008 so i pointed out that the nation i support (scotland) had a harder group than serbia. then he said "you've only reached one major final". well as i hadn't been born at that point and i'm not the england team of '66 i didn't make a major final making that utter rubbish.

basically i twisted caravans arguement to make my point, even though my point had nothing to do with his arguement.

... But this is not about Scotland (who have been really poor for decades now, by the way). You're not twisting his argument, you're completely missing the point

[The Doctor]

... But this is not about Scotland (who have been really poor for decades now, by the way). You're not twisting his argument, you're completely missing the point

it's not possible to completely miss the point because everything in this world has a link, no matter how slight, to everything else meaning that my point has a link to his point meaning i haven't missed the point i've just changed it slightly.

(don't ask me to explain agian because i have just confused myself)