Euro 2008

[Sweder]

Saturday's Portugal v Turkey game set up the fireworks - I carry my grudge from Istanbul still so was delighted to see the Turks fall to the enterprising Portugesers - but tonight's game lit the touch-paper. You can argue the Dutch got lucky with their first goal but I'd say they got nothing for Horse van Nistelrooy staying on his feet minutes earlier. He was probably entitled to go down for what would have been a nailed-on penalty but uncharacteristicly stayed upright.

The breakaway goals were breath-taking; Italy looked stunned at the end, unsure of what had happened to them. The appalling negativity of France v Romania hints at more attrition in the Group of Death; we can expect a good deal more rolling around and shaking of foppish hair before big lass starts warbling. My hunch would be Italy to sneak second place with France and Romania missing out. Can the Cloggies keep their team spirit, or will they implode as they so often do? Van Basten seems to have them focused on the matches (well you have to light your Schpliffs somehow) - if he can keep that going the future may well be Orange. I only wish I'd nailed my colours to the mast publicly before tonight. With ten days working in Amsterdam starting on Thursday I may well be going Dutch very soon.
Hup Holland!

Meanwhile, a televisual pattern is emerging. BBC kick things off with a dull afternoon snoozefest, ITV follow on with blood-and-thunder excitement in the evening. These things have a way of sorting themselves out but with Steve 'Where's My Cravat' Ryder barely repressing a chuckle as he slipped in a gem - 'we struggled to find them but here are the highlights (from France v Romania)' - the Channel 3 boys are clearly enjoying the best of it so far.