well done andy murray

[daviejones]

This is no bad thing but it seems to have been accompanied with an increasing hatred of all things English.
.

I see this as more both sides at fault, not just hatred of all things English, as has been demonstrated on here many times.

[TheBigYinJames]

I was always British in my youth and fully supported the home nations teams and individuals (unless an Englishman was involved). In more recent years I have become increasingly aware of a more nationalistic attitude amongst the other home nations. This is no bad thing but it seems to have been accompanied with an increasing hatred of all things English.

Unfortunately this is true. I think it's the flipside of any nationalistic feeling, which is a sense of superiority, that you start to look down on other nations as part of it. Scotland in particular has a large chip on its shoudler about its more powerful neighbour, so it tends to get the brunt of it.

As a kid, like you, I was always British first, and I still feel that way. If I'd lived there at the time, I'd have voted against devolution, and I am not in favour of breaking up the union. Not only is it a crazy idea in thie modern worl, I think both England and Scotland would suffer economically for it. But Scotland worse.

Still, I don't live there any more, my kids are English, if they want to go down that route, then on their own heads be it.

[shaunbhoy]

I am a firm believer that we are a stronger nation as a Union, but we should embrace and celebrate the individual nations too.

Broadly speaking I agree with that. However, as I have my reputation as a cantankerous grumpy contentious malcontented dour Jock to protect, I shall exit this thread and take myself elsewhere for mischief!!

[The Lone Gunman]

I see this as more both sides at fault, not just hatred of all things English, as has been demonstrated on here many times.

You may have a point. As an Englishman I dont see the traffic in the other direction.
I have traveled around Europe quite a lot and you tend to end up drinking in Irish bars especialy if you dont speak the local lingo.
Watching the 6 nations, Euro (year) football and any world cups is quite an eye opener and was positively life threatening on one occasion.
It is obviously harmless banter in many cases, but it is overt racism in others.
The only time I have seen Englishmen supporting the opposition to a home nation has been when the result impacts on a later England game. Though I have seen (in fact been involved with) a few of the afore mentioned piss takes, particularly of a certain Irish bar owner in Brussels who like to wind the English up.

[The Lone Gunman]

Broadly speaking I agree with that. However, as I have my reputation as a cantankerous grumpy contentious malcontented dour Jock to protect, I shall exit this thread and take myself elsewhere for mischief!!

Don't go all lightweight on me now, not once you have got me all worked up again.
We all have our favourite parts.

[TheBigYinJames]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7485688.stm

Interesting set of predictions from punters on how Murray will do.
The only Scot asked said he'd be gubbed 3-0

[El_Diablo]

Well done? Eh? He hasn't done anything yet.

IF he beats Rafa then he's done well.

But he won't, he's just not good enough. IF he does then I'll rate him otherwise nah.

[Bagpuss]

He should win a game or 2.

Come on Andy!..... it's all he's worth!

[BrilloPad]

Oh dear! 3-6 2-6 4-6.

[Cliphead]

Is this an attempt to make tennis sound interesting? Commentary from the BBC website;

'Murray's gasping for air like a deep-sea diver whose tanks have run dry. Nadal smashes a forehand cross-court with such ferocity that people grab the person next to them in knock-kneed terror. Murray batters a two-handed backhand drive two inches wide to ship another break point and then wafts with exhaustion at another. The ball falls into the net and that, you would fear, could be goodnight Charlie.'