England, my best of frenemies. I know it's over, but my sincerest congratulations.

This new England played with a refreshing swagger and joy fueled by a quiet youthful confidence

and a comfortable identity and all without a hint of controversy.

You actually got me to believe no small feat.

Hello sunshine and welcome the State of the Union

podcast when we look at the beautiful game through the lens of red white and blue

colored glasses. My friend, my colleague, a fox writer, and a researcher extraordinary, my guiding light,

Mr. David Mossy, are you on the other end of this telephone but in the same city that I am which is

St. Petersburg? I'm good no I am back in Moscow. St. Petersburg for me was a one day trip and it was one to remember. I don't know how

you're feeling about it but I was absolutely enamored by that city. I loved every

second of being there. I went to the Ermitage Museum, which for an art lover like me, this is like

dropping a sex addict into the Playboy Mansion. Best museum I've ever been to in my life. It makes

the Loug look like Lachma. I was absolutely blown away. I lived up to the hype and the rest of the day too. I went to St. Isaac Cathedral. I took a boat ride around St. Petersburg, Winter Palace. I mean, it was incredible to me. Love the trip.

It is, it is a gorgeous city. Anybody of the... It was incredible to me. Love the trip.

It is a gorgeous city.

Anybody that goes to Russia and certainly for us that were in Moscow for the whole month,

immediately people will tell you, you got to go to St. Petersburg.

You got to St. Petersburg.

So I am actually there.

I'm coming back today.

We are recording this on Friday.

It is.

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