With the group stage now over there are a couple of rest days before the 8 last 16 ties.
As there are no games, I thought I’d feature some of the European nations that did not qualify for the finals.
Moldova
Moldova is said to be the poorest nation in Europe.
This is personified in agricultural practices that in most countries belong to a bygone era.
Horse drawn ploughs, ancient tractors and hand milking are the order of the day.
The trains are also ancient – giant diesel locomotives and dilapidated rolling stock.
Greece
Greece is a beautiful country with blue sea & skies the norm. No wonder blue features on the Greek flag.
Xania Harbour, Crete, Greece 
Old Fort, Corfu, Greece 
Vonitsa, Greece
Norway
Norway is simply stunning, especially when covered in snow.
In January 2018 Mrs Wilbur and I did a tour of Norway taking in Oslo, Trondheim, Fauske, Narvik & Tromsø. No Northern Lights though!
Our Train at Narvik Station, Norway 
Narvik Train Station in Norway at Night 
Iron Ore Train Line, Norway 
Ofotfjord, Narvik in Norway 
Ofotfjord, Narvik, Norway 
Reindeer, Tromso, Norway 
Dog Sledding near Tromso, Norway 
Tromso, Norway 
Scene on the bus journey from Narvik to Tromso, Norway
Using the BBC Mark Lawrenson scoring system, 1 point for a correct result, 3 points for a correct score and 0 points for getting it wrong I calculate your performance in the qualifying stages to be a very impressive 23 points. Out of 36 matches – 14 correct results and 6 correct scores.
Wow, thanks for the calculation. That would put me joint 2nd on the BBC pundits table. Lawro is bottom! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57518416
Keep it up Will. I didn’t realise that there is a different scoring system for this competition. I think you can win this!
I am waiting to see what your England v Germany prediction will be.
I am old enough to remember 1966 but my favourite memory is 2001, I watched the 5-1 victory on a large screen in a bar in Kefalonia.
The place went bonkers.
I was on a ferry that night between Naples & Palermo. Great news, they showed football in the bar Lithuania 0 Italy 0! Days before smart phones and found out England result next day. Erring on 1 nil to England but will see what the vibes are the day before.
I predict a win on penalties. It has to happen one day!
As long as Southgate doesn’t take one!