Racing Lines
The art of Maxine Dodd
Euros 2021: Good luck!
Posted on July 11, 2021
England in the final against Italy at Wembley – what an outstanding achievement – Fingers, toes and anything else crossed! You’ve come such a long way… nearly there!
What a journey!
Euros 2021: Semi-final: The Penalty
Posted on July 11, 2021
The match progressed, with great persistence from both sides, but the commentators kept saying that a goal would come, the pressure was coming from England… all the things that wind me up horribly! Curse of the commentator and all that.
So full time comes and extra time commences, just adding to the torment … I am praying that it doesn’t go to penalties, and then a penalty is awarded!
Kieran Trippier can’t look, which was a surprise, but he wasn’t alone! Leicester City fans know the abilities of the Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel who is very likely to save it.
Bless him, Kasper gets there, no less than I expected, but on the rebound, Harry blasts it home – Kasper reacts immediately – and is actually there – but the shot is too strong to resist.
Wembley erupts! The Lions roar!
England 2-1 up and with a place in the final on Sunday – today! I can’t believe it!
Immense and outstanding, from both teams, who played their hearts out.
Wow!
Euros 2021: Semi-final: ENGLAND v Denmark – Saka to Sterling
Posted on July 11, 2021
England in the semifinals were a goal down, but how would they respond? The wonderful thing this England team didn’t do, was panic or lose concentration.
Quite the opposite – Bukayo Saka, the nineteen year old, showed the coolest head and when the chance presented itself to him, struck a lovely cross to my England favourite, Raheem Sterling, but sadly for Denmark, captain Simon Kjaer was put under immense pressure and forced the ball into his own net to provide England with a vital equaliser before halftime.
Euros 2021: Semi-final: ENGLAND v Denmark – Damsgaard Strike
Posted on July 11, 2021
England in the semifinals was an amazing feat, could they go a step further? The next series of posts show that the answer to that was a resounding ‘Yes!’
Denmark opened the scoring with a huge strike from a free kick by Mikkel Damsgaard, an absolute beautiful shot that flew into the goal, putting Denmark ahead in emphatic style.
Euros 2021: Semi-final: ENGLAND v Denmark – Phenomenal Pickford
Posted on July 11, 2021
England in the semifinals was an amazing feat, could they go a step further? The next series of posts show that the answer to that was a resounding ‘Yes!’
Back from Rome to Wembley, with great opponents, Denmark had played with huge strength of character following the traumatic start to their campaign. Sixteen minutes in, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leapt into the air with John Stones to push a great shot on goal away to safety. Playing a vital part of the team’s performance, Pickford was assertive and strong.
Euros 2021: England lions roar!
Posted on July 4, 2021
Gosh! England were good! A fantastic performance saw four goals against Ukraine in the quarter final match played in Rome.
Both sets of fans were restricted in numbers to the Stadio Olympico due to travel restrictions, but they were all in good voice, and speaking personally, it was great to see a Leicester City flag prominently on display!
The first goal came only four minutes in, with a super shot from Captain Harry Kane, sliding to the ground, following a beautiful pass from Sterling…
The second came straight after halftime in the 46th minute, with a superb set piece free kick. The most delectable cross from Luke Shaw flew across to the head of his Manchester United teammate, Harry Maguire, who slammed the ball home in great style. There were big hugs of thanks between them.
I made two pictures to show this, a little panorama dyptich to show the drama!
The third was another header, and a second for Harry Kane. The move began with the most audacious flick of the ball from behind by Raheem Sterling, across to Luke Shaw who sent the ball across just as before, beautiful move, different Harry! I need to make the Sterling Shaw part of this goal but haven’t worked it right yet, but I will add later on.
Finally, header number three, in the 63rd minute, but header No1 for Jordan Henderson who scored his very first goal after 63 caps for England. What a way to seal the win and secure a place in the semifinal against Denmark back in London at Wembley… The England team is coming home… is football?
Here are my drawings!
Euros 2021: England expects…
Posted on July 3, 2021
We are waiting, hoping and praying for more of this…come on England!
Euro 2021: Two surprise draws
Posted on June 20, 2021
Some drawings from two matches that both resulted in draws, both of which were unexpected, including the debacle that was England v Scotland… (at least for England fans).
Scotland played with great heart and their fans were so passionate, it was great to see.
England’s best moment was an astounding acrobatic header from John Stones, which sadly hit the post, not the target… ditto a lovely strike from Che Adams, which was wide of the mark.
Next came Hungary v France, a game where Hungary played really well and put the current World Champions to the test. A lovely flying strike from Fiola put Hungary ahead. Griezmann equalized and that’s the way it remained, a great achievement for Hungary, not so great for France…
It will be interesting to see what happens next with these four… some hearts could be made or broken and maybe not as expected.
It’s The Big One!
Posted on June 18, 2021
Not long to go before the re-match between Scotland and England at Wembley. The first time since 1996! I remember it vividly, England won, with one of the most celebrated goals in recent memory.
The audacious goal by Paul Gascoigne, lit up the tournament and broke the hearts of Scotland fans.. the celebration was just as notable as the goal, Gascoigne throwing himself to the ground to remind everyone that only a few weeks before he (and the team) had been caught out celebrating in an establishment which delivered drinks from a great height, in huge quantities, to the open mouth of the person lying on a Dentist’s Chair… It was a moment England fans relished in spite of themselves! I confess that I was one!
I made this sketch recently and think I might have had a lemonade or two, as I had completely forgotten about drawing it! Not my best drawing but I love the Dentist’s Chair… many happy memories of a magic time for England and my own life too. It’s a long time ago but feels very close.
Good luck tonight, wishing everyone a wonderful time, safe and sound… and don’t be too silly with the pop!
Flying start for England!
Posted on June 14, 2021
What a great start for England? Wonderful performance against a strong Croatia – with a super flying goal from Raheem Sterling, MBE – so delighted for him, as he justified his selection in style. Other highlights were a super shot on goal from Phil Foden, only five minutes in, which ricocheted off the post – and a super-determined, creative performance by Kalvin Phillips who set up the goal for Sterling beautifully – The final, arguably the most precious highlight though, was that there was a crowd to watch and cheer on – Joy unbridled! Here are my first impressions from the match – looking forward to Scotland this afternoon…
Euros 2020 – Sterling puts England 1-0 up!
Euros 2020 – Phillips – Beautiful flick
Euros 2020 – Phillips – You’re not having that!
Euros 2020 – Phillips – You’re not having that!
Euros 2020 – Singing the anthem – Croatia 
Euros 2020 – Singing the anthem – England
It’s coming home, it’s coming…
Posted on June 11, 2021
Well, as an England fan, I certainly hope it is! The tournament certainly is – along with 10 other host cities, matches will be played at Wembley – and there will be fans in the seats! Wonderful news after all this time. I can’t wait to follow the action with my pens and paints – it will be so exciting. Three home nations is fantastic – I also love to watch France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium – it’s going to be a busy few weeks and my drawings and paintings will, no doubt, be frantic and emotional, like these from 2016… Magic!
Goal of the tournament? Payet, France, 
A sea of red – Bale for Wales 
One nil to France! 
Romania equalise! 
Celebrating goal No.1 – Giroud, France v Romania 
After the ball, England vs Russia
These are not from the Euro 2016, but some great players who will be there… so many new ones to try as well, I can’t wait…So excited!!!
Harry Kane set about taking the net apart! 
What a magnificent header! 
Chilwell superstrike
Six Nations 2021 – Jonny May’s flying try
Posted on February 27, 2021
Jonny May’s Flying try I 
Jonny May’s Flying try II 
Jonny May’s Flying try III
HERE’S JONNY! Apologies! I couldn’t resist, it’s a great line from a great film! Here I have pinched it to describe these three images of Jonny May, made after his astonishing try at England’s last match against Italy. He flew high into the air – before scoring an astonishing try. It was amazing.
I have made several images but these three are my favourites – all larger than my usual size, from A3 up to A2-ish! so the lines and materials have expanded from the usual watercolour, pen and ink to include brush and twig as well as pen for the ink lines and acrylic paint here and there in addition to the watercolour. I also used a palette knife to give texture to drag the paint across the page and give extra marks and texture.
Works in progress 
Works in progress
I worked on the three of them over the course of a day or so – switching from one to another as the paint or ink needed to dry.
Fingers crossed for another flying performance from him today!
Speaking of which… better publish now before kickoff!
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