You know what I hate? Stupid, ill-informed, disrespectful comments about any team when it’s unfounded, especially a team who was one of five to go through their qualifying group unbeaten. Rant over.

…because their situation is truly rubbish.

A dead rubber it might be, but an entirely worthwhile one, given the circumstances.

…it’s still hurting quite a lot today.

Ah, comments in the heat of the moment. Lovely stuff.

…then what’s stopping our boys?

…I would apologise for not putting anything up recently, but any complaints should be directed towards the University of Sussex, Mark Mazower and Eric Hobsbawn. Not my fault, guv….

…because anyone who truly expected to finish ahead of Italy was at best an optimist, at worst a lunatic.

Unpleasant to watch? Very.
Questions about the side? A few, yep.
Delighted with the result? And then some.

Ouch