Do any of you Reds expats on here find support for England...

...football team diminishing and replaced by support for your adopted country?

Once a 'Red always a Red' for me, but when it comes to Premiership and our International football team my interest has waned over the years to the point of apathy.... Except I have discovered a new found enthusiasm for Italy in this tournament.
It is not a case of being a 'Glory Seeker' but watching the current 'Azzurri' and their sheer enthusiasm, work rate, team spirit, desire to move the ball forward, tracking back when they lose the ball reminds me of 'little old Barnsley' (albeit on the plus side, the individual players' skills are somewhat higher and on the negative, there is still the tendency to roll around as if they have been shot at the merest contact and then surround the referee) That said, the latter has only been more in evidence during last couple of games as the first two matches it was noticeably absent.
My wife thinks they are a 'surrogate Barnsley' for me since I can only follow the Reds from afar and ANY match involving Italy is on FTA TV over here. Probably true, but frankly, even though Italy could even be knocked out by England should they meet in the Final, and whilst the unexpected result against Germany lifted UK spirits, I find the England style of play frustrating and boring in equal measure. Over reliant on individual skill, 'tippy tappy' passing around at the back then back to Pickford for the big boot up field, drives me nuts and I end up shouting at the TV.
IF both end up in the final I will genuinely be torn between who I want to win but have to say I am currently leaning towards the Azzurri (blame Southgate)

 

Not remotely. I've probably been more enthusiastic about the England team since moving abroad than was when I lived in the UK. Obviously I love to see Russia and Zenit doing well as it makes for a good atmosphere in the city, but I don't give two hoots if either of them lose. Most Russians by the way are extremely negative about the national team, and see the World Cup as some sort of crazy fluke. The press are actually much more reasonable than in the UK, but most of the general public hold the Russian team in very low esteem indeed.

 

No. I've no problem taking an interest in Irish sport but I'll always support England or Great Britain.
We have some English friends who we go to the cricket with though who have completely abandoned any English sporting affiliation and are staunch Ireland supporters. In fact they go out of their way to express disdain for English cricket etc which I find a bit annoying.

 

Not at all. The current team and all they stand for is genuinely one of the few things about England that I feel a sense of attachment and pride at the moment.

I have a fondness for Germany now and want them to do well, but Tuesday was very sweet .

 

I’m certain if I was living in Italy right now I’d be travelling to Rome for the match today.

But I think I’d also be enjoying Italian football. Probably be watching something live locally rather than watching English footie on the telly.

 

"Expats" - just another word for "Immigrants".

Why do we British think we are so special that when we go and live abroad we're not immigrants?

 

Italy play some delightful football, and are so well organised, however, their shithousery knows no boundaries and that’s why I can’t take to them. The added time last night was a disgrace, only 5 mins, then hardly any added within that 5 mins. Fully understand doing whatever it takes to win, but shithousery at that level will never win me over as a temporary fan of theirs.

 

I think you are in a unique situation in that you moved to the glorious nation of Italy. If I moved there I would probably be rooting for the azzurri too; the italian passion and style is infectious. If I moved anywhere else in the world I would still be 100% England, but all about individual feeling I suppose. Do you know what the situation is with attending games in Italy next season? My Sicilian barber told me that masks are no longer required anywhere in Italy now, which is great news if true?

 

Tonight I will be Ukrainian

 

Nothing like upholding that stereotype Ian…

 

This. The stroller injury then getting up sheepishly to celebrate their first goal was also appalling. Why can’t he be banned from the rest of the tournament for bringing the game into disrepute?

 

Local football rivalry. Surely you’d expect nothing less.

 

It’s strange but I have a totally opposite view of Italians , lovely country and historical sites unrivalled but the Italians themselves I’ve always found to be obnoxious, I’ve been to Florence Rome Venice Padua Cinque Terra and with the odd exception I’ve found the people to be unpleasant arrogant and insular particularly Romans . My wife loves the place as did my brother . As for rooting for another country over my own , just don’t get it

 

I'm still behind England even though they are dull to watch at the moment. Mind you, the Socceroos aren't really a proper alternative like Italy would be.

I always want Australia to do well in all the sports, but never against England. That despite knowing the Australian players better than I do the English ones, in football, cricket and rugby due to their coverage here. There's an old dutch guy at work who cannot understand why I don't transfer my allegiances totally but decades of dreams for England are never going to be extinguished.

I'm not sure I have ever been patriotic but now more than ever I find the sight of players and fans screaming out national anthems with their hands on their hearts plain mental. What exactly are they proud of? The ruling classes? Geography?

 

I would imagine the local folk don't refer to Brits as ex pats, probably immigrants as well, god knows

 

I can't blame you Ian. If the team I support had only managed 1 point in a major competition this century I'd also be picking a second team to show support to. Most none league supporters do the same

 

Even Wednesday fans?

 

Tinternet comeback of the day, take a bow