International roundball

The Russians are coming. And now they are going, having shipped three goals. The Wembley crowd surprised me. One could understand the lack of taking to task Israel's national anthem, but Russia's rousing Soviet-style ditty met with even less booing and that only at the start, as if some England fans were being jabbed in the ribs by their friends, the latter saying to the former "don't make an idiot of yourself." It makes one happy to feel English again, or at least have a majority of English blood.
The other national sides that comprise my make-up did wonderclasses as well. The Auld Alliance could soon become the New Emnity, as Scotland, amazingly, brilliantly, won in Paris, the place of foreboding that the suspended-for-the-game Thierry Henry warned that people should wait for, when France were beaten at Hampden Park. France can still qualify if they overcome Ukraine and Scotland can inflict some damage on Italy in Glasgow, though it will be tough.
And Wales went out to Slovakia and gave them a thrashing to match the one the Slovaks handed out in Cardiff. 5-2 away for a belittled Welsh team is some going.