European Championship Day 3
England had no match today and depending on the outcome (that was never in doubt) would have no match on Day 4 either. So we went along to watch at our own expense as no transfer service was planned for us on a day with no match.
We, and the other spectators were treated to a display of some skill, some comedy but no competition.
For example, the Italy versus Austria match opened with a stunning goal from each Bertolucci and then Italy spent the next 18 minutes (times 2 as the 2nd half went the same way – even penalties went high and wide) trying to avoid the Austria goal. “Come on Austria, go for an own goal”. Switzerland were playing Andorra flat out and then they realised that more goals might be a bad idea. In fact, Switzerland already had one too many – so the Swiss keeper managed to defend the wrong side of the goal and Andorra obliged with 2 on target.
Why did this happen? Each team was choosing its opposition in the next rounds. Italy wanted to avoid Spain and Switzerland preferred France to Portugal. This is the result of the European governing body going along with a change from the laid down format for a 9 team competition so as to produce quarter finals.
Our calculators had been out over lunch but, unfortunately, the local bookmakers were not accepting bets of Italy winning by a 4 goal margin and Switzerland winning by no more than 3 or we could have won our trip expenses back.
The quarter final line up is:
France v Switzerland
Spain v Germany
Italy v Andorra
Portugal v Austria
Not surpringly we expect to be playing Austria and Andorra in the position 5 – 9 round robin on Friday. On Saturday we expect Germany and the loser of France v Switzerland but only if it is Switzerland as we played France in our group. No offence Switzerland, but allez les bleus!
For England, today looks like a good day for gentle exercise and good food and the expense of getting ourselves to the stadium again in order to watch it all unfold.
We are looking forward to seeing how the Press report this as the TV & Radio interveiwers were very busy getting comments from everyone especially the Portuguese!
Ron Barker
