What the weather girls, in doors in a nice studio, call 'light rain showers,' have been falling for the last 24 hours on and off. Late last night I had to check it was indeed rain that had water sweeping its way down the gutters rather than the tears of the loud English fans wending their way home.
Not long after the game ended I could hear shouting outside. Individuals, groups of two or three, larger groups also, heading home under the influence and none too chuffed about the result.
Indoors I was laughing!
Twitter and I, plus a couple of million 'Jocks,' Welsh and Irish, were rejoicing at the end of the English imperialist dream of success. Much wit was in evidence, and not a little smugness also. This, not without reason.
Having England and the English as a neighbour has not made Scotland's life easy. Since time began, let's say about a thousand years ago, the southern bullies have tried to steal what is now Scotland for their own personal glory. It is probable that we can begin this in the reign of the big bully boy Edward I. Being over 6ft tall at a time when most were not anywhere near that height gave him the ability to throw his weaight around. As King of England he wished to subject Scotland to his rule also. We refused, and while Edward tricked John Balliol, then King of Scots, into a prison cell and false subjugation, and while William Wallace led the opposition to the brute, Scotland remained free. (Note, you can be King of England, but not King of Scotland. You can only be 'King of Scots.' If you fail the Scots democratically chop your head off.) Having chopped up Wallace in 1305 Edward thought he was getting his Scotland at last. However, by Edwards gracious death in 1307 Scotland was set to be a totally independent and efficient country in its own right.
There were many attempts by the bully boys down south but none succeeded until the Lairds were bribed and threatened with loss if they did not sign Scotland over to what became laughingly known as 'Great Britain in 1707.' This was rejected by the people and still is. This 'Great Britain' was soon to be seen as nothing more than 'Greater England,' and Scotland and Wales comprise England's last colonies.
Add to this the smug arrogance of the said English at all times. Most recently under this Conservative government, no matter which PM, in which Scotland has been, like Wales and Northern Ireland, considered irrelevant in Brexit or indeed anything else. Bully boy tactics do not make for peace.
English fans, led by the media who know what the readers want to see, have emphasised their dominance over all others, a truly xenophobic jingoism which pervades England, even among the 'nicer people.' It is deep in their heart, the English consider themselves better than all others. Facts do not intrude here, reality is not required. An ill-thought vague view of History tells them they once ruled the world and therefore have a right to rule it again. Hence Brexit! The stupid idea that if you leave a successfull union and 'go it alone' you will succeed because 'You are English!' This is turning out to be false, but they do not yet accept this.
All this adds up to Scotland, amongst other nations, despising England. It is easy to like many of them, we have lots in common, but the attitude that prevails is 'England first' the rest are our colonies.
You know what they can do with that!
So last night, a half decent, but lacking fire up front, England side, played a half decent, but not the best version of Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Italy dominated after England's lucky goal in the first minute. Had that goal not gone in we would all have been done and dusted before ten O'clock, as it was Italy, full of the usual style, lacked the flair we usually see to break through England's defence. The goal came eventually, from a 'British' style corner that England failed to deal with, and somehow England survived until the end of extra time.
Penalties are not the best way to win a cup final, however there is no alternative that makes sense. With penalties there is no good in being clever, just do not look at the goalie, possibly glance at the opposing corner you are aiming for, and just hit it had into a corner, low or high. Several players tried to be smart. This rarely works. Sure some talented players do this and make it look easy, it isn't, and it showed last night. There have been many, mostly, but not only, young players who have failed at penalties in this competition. I doubt they will fail next time. It is good, once the manager has stopped hitting them, that he picks them up and rebuilds their personal belief. One or two however could do with being whipped first!
There were many jumping on the bandwagon before the game, now they jump on the detractor bandwagon or disappear into the gloom. Politicians abounded in praise of their team, even if they were not sure what shirt they were wearing. Today they remain silent, except for the usual backbench Tory spouting gentle racism.
The Brexit mentallity showed yesterday, England fans in various parts of the country, including Leicester Square, were fighting with one another, bottles thrown, near riots preveailing. All this while TV folk spoke of the team 'Bringing the nation together.'
Tee Hee.
Not long after midnight, the cries of the departing fans ringing out in the darkness outside, we saw Blue flashing lights as police cars left the station behind me to 'investigate' parties of failed celebrants. No stories from these have been released sadly. The rain did not deter the cries, and I was too cowardly to open the window and shout "Forza Italia!" The landlord would not like his windows removed.
From the time the penalties were missed the three Black players who missed theirs have been subject to clear racist abuse. I noticed one man on Twitter, named MALIK, telling Mr Sako to, 'Get out of my country!' I thought that interesting. Much worse was seen and some published in the press will be costing a few their jobs today. Even the 'Met' police will be investigating this. This was to be expected, just under the surface of the English lies a 'white only England,' and it takes little for this to emerge into view.
We can all understand how easy it is to be racist if the world in which you are brought up changes, especially when it appears to change so fast. The governments of the day ignoring the 'white working class,' and indeed recently encouraging them to believe they are being robbed by immigrants, have all led to such attitudes deepening. There is no easy answer to this, and Brexit has multiplied the xenophobia greatly.
Italy however, with masses more immigrants than the UK, celebrate in style. Many grateful for Scotland's support, and all Italians resident in the UK wary about their windows being put in. None round here it appears.
Today all was normal, the media trying to avoid stabbing players in the back, but that will come, and a quick trip to Tesco offered no comment from anyone re the game. Tee Hee again!
I have tried to get people to offer manager Roberto Mancini the 'Freedom of Edinburgh' for his work in saving Scotland, Wales and Ireland, from the arrogant crowing an England victory would have thrust upon us. Such service to mankind deserves a reward, and Scotland must not be slow to offer this I say.
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