Comments on: In Croatia for a memorable win

By: Neil Mc

Neil Mc — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:57:25 +0000

Armin – that’s curious… the numbers on the page you link to are quite different to the analysis I saw in yesterday’s Telegraph (the paper we’re getting free in our hotel). They put the percentage of own nationals playing in the major European leagues as 34% in England, 45% in Spain and Germany, and a more impressive 60% in Italy and France. I don’t think it’s the whole problem, certainly, and the influence of this is more subtle than many would suggest, but (if the Telegraph’s numbers are to be trusted) the fact the two world cup finalists have substantially bigger percentages seems to point to some truth…

By: Neil Mc

Neil Mc — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:44:23 +0000

Nah, John – nothing wrong with home internationals, except when the only reason they’re there is to provide a little local interest while the rest of Europe gets on with competing at the highest level in Austria and Switzerland. Maybe if England’s players and coaches were forced to watch the finals, they’d work out what the others are doing right

By: John Connell

John Connell — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:04:18 +0000

‘Diddy home internationals’? These were the original internationals, remember. I’d pay to see another Scotland-England match.

By: An Honest Man

An Honest Man — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:35:42 +0000

It might also just have to do with a greater hunger in Croatia than in Scotland and a much greater hunger than in England.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:22:02 +0000

Glad you’re enjoying the local culture – does the hotel have wifi too?

By: Armin

Armin — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:01:00 +0000

According to an analysis (sorry, in German, but you should be able to understand it) Germany, Greece, France, The Netherlands and Italy all have a higher share of foreign players than Spain. I don't buy that argument with the foreign players. It's an excuse.