The Beach Is Back

I'm back!

Bright eyed and bushy tailed (well I am a Fox after all).

Dorset was lovely. Thanks for asking. Our trip included a trip to a childhood holiday destination for me at Durdle Door (see pic).

One of the locals told me that part of the beach is for nude bathing. I have to say I have no recollection of that. Funny - my dad never mentioned it either ........

Needless to say though that despite not finding the opportunity to post, I continued my football studies with my usual diligence.

This included (of course) finding a sports pub to watch last night's match - my only regret being that the Spaniards did not manage to reflect the drubbing they gave Germany in the scoreline. 3 or 4 nil would have completely made my day but I'm not really complaining. It was a great game.

And today I hear Mr Lehman has been alleging that the ref was biased.

Yeah Jens - that would be when he let you off for handling the ball outside your area then.

I do hate a bad loser. At least Ballack behaved with dignity as he followed his team up for their runners up medal.

Mind you - he has had plenty of practise.

My education was also broadened by listening to Danny Baker on Five Live (or Five Dead for those of us in the know), who regaled us with stories about memorable, if somewhat obscure, sendings off. Like the Scotsman sent off for smoking on the pitch (he claims he forgot to take his cigarette out of his mouth at the end of half time...) or the player shown a yellow card in a car park after a match for bad behaviour (which stuck, as apparently the referees jurisdiction includes this area).

And now, after all the excitement of the last few days, I think its time to put my feet up with a glass of Sangria and wonder if Signor Torres will be able to transfer his success and take Liverpool to even greater heights this season.

Viva Espagna!

Out Playing With The Big Girls

Do you remember a few days ago I mentioned I had been invited to a round-table discussion with some other lady football bloggers?

Well we got together earlier in the week (virtually of course) and did that thing.

Talk about being out with the big girls! Some of them really do know their stuff. Left me standing to some extent. It was fun though and you can see the results of it here and here.

Now that the tournament has actually kicked off, I've already changed my views about some of the teams. Croatia's performance earlier was disappointing after the first 20 minutes of so I thought. And Austria, bless 'em, did the best they could with what they had.

Half way through the Poland/Germany match and it looks as if Herr Low's lot are heading for victory. A shame because I was expecting more of Poland.

Anyway there have been a few other highlights. I mean that Croatian coach - he's a bit of a dude isn't he? (if a little bit scary) Apparently he sings in a band in his spare time. Shake, rattle and roll!

And Michael Ballack. I'd forgotten what a hunk he is.

Talking of licking my lips, I'm off to nibble on some cheese and biscuits and watch the second half.