Euro 2008

[Sweder]

And so it seems it shall come to pass that the early leaders will fall and fall hard.
Croatia failed to live up to their billing, losing to the never-say-die Turks who one has to concede made and then rode their own good fortune. It wasn't pretty but then quarter finals rarely are. Bilic looked like a man disposessed, harranging the fourth official to explain the arrival of the fateful second minute of added, added time. My heart went out to him; he looked distraught, conscious even at that moment that his team would be unable to overcome the crushing blow dealt by the late Turkish strike.

The true winners last night were of course Germany. Had Croatia triumphed its unlikely they would have turned in as insipid a performance again. Trust me Joachim Low is on a high to see a Turkish team depleted by suspensions and injury limping towards his fit, vibrant side. Ballack is on fire, living up to his pre-Chelski hype and running the show, perhaps reaping the benefits of an injury-dogged club season. Who made that famous quip about football that ends 'and then the Germans win on penalties'?

Tonight sees the unexpected Dutch masters take on fellow countryman Guus Hiddink and his team of steady Russian workhorses. Another win for the pragmatists or is there still room for romance in this tournament? I hope so. Last night I left Amsterdam bathed in a neon glow of optimism and belief, football frenzy coursing through the city as the Dutch planned to party like it's 1974. The dream final for the Cloggies would be the Old Enemy, a chance for revenge; of course we all know the most likely outcome of such an encounter, yet where there's life there's hope. There's danger in looking beyond the immediate challenge and Hiddink will feel no lasting sting should he burst the orange bubble. Should that happen I fear the fun will have been beaten out of Euro 2008, but then this is the serious bit and we should expect no less.

Just a thought; the sides who qualified from their groups with a game to spare- Holland, Portugal, Croatia - rested key players for their third match. Two of those fell, seemingly unable to pick up their early momentum. I hope that doesn't happen tonight.

Last word to Rick Wakeman and his terrible joke series on Planet Rock.
I know a bloke who met a Dutch bird with inflatable shoes.
He rang her up for a date but unfortunately she'd popped her cloggs.

Hup Holland, Hup.