Ramsdale & POTUS

England U19 2 v Luxembourg U19 0

UEFA U19 2017 EUROs, Qualifying Group 6

Thursday 10 November 2016

Played at Belle Vue, Rhyl

Twitter @ball_sup

The Format

Unfortunately, I have very little practical experience. But, the U19 EUROs are a Ball Sup Army & Carrier Bag Firm dream. There is a Final Tournament every year. In 2016, that was Germany. Today's game was a qualifier towards the 2017 finals on Georgia. The 2018 finals are in Finland.

Qualifying is a two stage process. One four team group in October/November. Called the Qualifying Stage. Teams then progress to four team groups in the Elite Stage in March. Groups are seeded. But, here's the beauty. One of the four teams hosts the group. Essentially over a long weekend. Travel & drinking opportunities are limitless.

England have come out of the hat with Wales, Greece & Luxembourg. With Wales hosting. So, it's a first visit to Rhyl for me. The game was free to get in an’ all.

The Beer

Stopover in Manchester.

Abbeydale, Frolicker, Sorachi Ace Session IPA on cask at 3.8%.

Strike me, all the way to Manchester for an Abbeydale beer. As available at the bottom of my road. But, it was the most enticing of the 6 cask & 15 craft keg up there on The Piccadilly Tap blackboards.

Some apple sweetness upfront. Although, thankfully, the major plus is the bittering. Which kicks in gently & lingers. Without developing into an intense finish. Sounds about right for a 3.8% session IPA.

Ever onwards to The Sussex, (Wetherspoons) in Rhyl.

Conwy Bragdy, Hydref Coch (Autumn Red) on cask at 4.5%. A little bit of nut in the initial burst. Then maybe a little red berry. Then a catches you by surprise bitter finish. Thick & chewy. Great beer.

And, the aftermatch drink in the Cob & Pen in Rhyl. Five handpulls on.

Bragdy Mws Piws, Ochr Dywyll Y Mws, Dark Side Of The Moose on cask at 4.6%. Not great that one. Some spicy malt on the tongue. And it does get there in the end. Malt & bitter intermingling OK. But, overall an unappealing taste.

Ramsdale Watch

An odd game really. England scored after two minutes. England had all the play, but it's only ended up 2-0. The Carrier Bag Firm are proud to call it as it is. No Gloss. But, the truth is Ramsdale had little to do. England had scored before he touched the ball. My tale of the tape was…..

He only had to defend one corner. His mate headed that clear.

He had to tidy up a few back passes & balls lumped to him.

He came out of his area confidently & aggressively a couple of times to boot the ball clear as an attack threatened.

Even though not much was coming his way, he was alert & prowling the edge of his box. Loud & organising. Switched on the whole time.

The Bourgers had a 30 yard free kick. He organised the wall. Reset it when the ref moved it back. And then caught the well struck free kick just above his head. The one conventional save he had to make.

The one real problem he had was a low cross swept in from his left (46 mins). He went to ground for it. For me, he slightly mishandled it. As it fell loose, he took quite a whack to his head. He needed lengthy “who is the President of the USA?” check for concussion treatment. “Donald Trump? .... fuck off”.

Clean Sheet. All he can do…..

400/821