There was another entry made to the ‘English sporting failures’ page on Wikipedia last night as the national football team went down 2-1 to lowly Iceland – a country that has more volcanos than professional footballers.
Of course, the best place to go when the chips are down is Twitter, where the backlash against the manager and players was in full force. Within the criticisms of the several levels of ineptitude shown on the pitch there was your usual slice of humour that can only be produced on Twitter.
Chris Froome felt the weight of the nation’s expectations transfer firmly to his shoulders ahead of the Tour de France. But don’t worry, Chris – we’ve still got Andy Murray to lose at Wimbledon before it’s all on you…
My timeline has just lit up 🤔 Feeling an awful lot of pressure all of a sudden 😄 #EURO2016 #TDF2016
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) June 27, 2016
Paralympic gold medallist Jody Cundy had a pretty decent reason to make Iceland his second team in the tournament.
I shouldn't be cheering, but everyone loves an underdog. And my legs are made by @OssurCorp so part of me is Icelandic 😉
— Jody Cundy OBE (@jodycundy) June 27, 2016
Mark McNally makes a prescient point on football’s reliance of blaming managers rather than the athletes who underperformed.
I wonder how many cycling fans blame team managers for their star riders not performing? #EURO2016 #CyclingVsFootball
— Mark McNally (@mmcnallycycling) June 27, 2016
Dan Lloyd makes the obvious joke.
Promotion: 2 for 1 on everything in Iceland supermarket tomorrow.
— Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) June 27, 2016
As does Lewis Oliva…
Can always rely on a 2 for 1 from Iceland…..
— Lewis Oliva (@Lewis_Oliva) June 27, 2016
Russell Downing goes along the same lines.
Iceland do more than sell frozen food for 99p .they play better football than England
— Russell Downing (@RussDowning) June 27, 2016
And even the Kiwis are getting in on our misery.
England are having a hell of a run of Exits this week.
— SamBewley (@SamBewley) June 27, 2016
Don’t worry though, Wales are still in the tournament to keep British hopes alive, but playing Belgium on Friday there’s a chance they could also be out of the tournament before the Tour de France starts.
Then the Brits take to two wheels in France for the big one – the one we actually have a great chance of winning. You’re right, Chris, the pressure is truly on you now!