Video didn't kill my radio star

I'm sitting here in my study, doing a bit of leisurely scribbling, listening to the radio coverage of a Champions League match of football between Man United and Villa Real. By all accounts it's not a very inspired performance from either side but somehow it's quite enjoyable to listen to those gentle BBC voices relating what's happening on the pitch.

And, somehow it's more interesting than it would have been to watch the same game on telly. This way I am taking it in but radio is far less intrusive than television and I can do something else while a dedicated part of my mind keeps listening to the footy.

Magpies

The football press here are all over-excited about what's going on at Newcastle United. Pundits are falling over one another to give their opinions about 'The Messiah' Kevin Keegan (would the Saviour really go by the first name Kevin?) resigning/being sacked/flouncing off/possibly returning after all and so on.

Football and its ins and outs is becoming more and more like a bad soap opera. Egos, arguments, bust-ups, bitching and moaning; it's all there, and, apparently it is very exciting. However, I will be watching another Liverpool European night tomorrow and enjoy it. Promise!

Sir Theo, arise!

How great must Capello and some of the England football players be feeling today after thrashing Croatia 4-1 with a hatrick by nineteen year old Theo Walcott. What an outstanding result. Especially after all the negative press the team had been quite understandably been faced with over the past weeks and months. A great night even though I had to content myself with just listening to it on the radio as it wasn't on 'normal' television.

Magical Liverpool pulls it off again

Liverpool played a qualifier against Standard Liege tonight. It meant they had to win or lose out on playing in this year's Champions' League. Liverpool had played the first leg in Belgium abysmally and had drawn so had to show more tonight. They didn't really and Liege played very well. In extra time, in the 117th minute in fact, Babel crossed to Kuyt who scored an extremely overdue goal. If there is a footballing God then he must be a Scouser is all I can say. Unbelievable.

Russia it is

So, Holland will be playing Russia on Saturday in the quarter finals. I have to say that I enjoyed seeing Russia play a blinder against Sweden last night. They were composed, played very fast flowing combination football and totally out-classed the poor old Swedes. Having that brilliant player whom I like to call Arseshaving didn't go amiss either.

Dutch beat Romania

The Dutch won their last match in the group stages of the Euros by beating Romania by two-nil. Easy-peasy. The Romania never looked like scoring didn't impress. What was impressive was how Holland were able to field a second-string team that still had some extremely good players in it. Now they're in the quarter final against either Sweden or Russia. Roll on Saturday!

Orange overkill

Much as I like the fact that the Dutch football fans have a lot to shout about at the moment I have to admit that I have never revelled in the sight of hordes of people, all dressed in bright neon-like orange, wearing tulips, cheeses and/or windmills on their heads. It just makes me feel a tad queasy, to be honest. Good luck to them and I hope their team will go far in this tournament but sometimes I long for the days when television sets were black and white..

Crafty Germany

Sorry, dear readers, more football talk. Watched a very poor Germany beat an ever more mediocre Austria one-nil tonight. Germany thus qualified for the quarter finals. That is the thing about teams like Germany; they can play badly and still win a match. I find that most annoying, to be honest. I have to admit that the winning goal, a stunning free kick by Ballack was a great one. But I'm sure we'll see this boring and underwhelming German team in the further stages of the tournament. Nevermind..

Holland steps up again

Tonight, in the Euro 2008, Holland will take on France and after their last brilliant performance expectations are high. I wouldn't rule out France though as they can be wily and are often very fortunate in a freakish sort of way. We'll see. I hope Holland play like only they can when all elements are in place. Let's trounce the Frogs!

Frankie again

Just a few more lines about Frank Skinner, the comedian whose Euro 2008 blog appears in the sidebar. He seemed really impressed with the way the Dutch fans get all dressed up in national cliches; cheese hats, orange clothes, windmills teetering on heads, orange face paint and more besides. They certainly are a colourful bunch, the Dutch football fans, and noisy too. I hope they'll do well against France tomorrow. Hup, Holland hup! As the Dutch say..

Frank Skinner

You may have noticed a new widget in the sidebar. I thought I'd treat you to the musings of Frank Skinner as he pens his Euro 2008 blog. An avid football fan, Frank's thoughts are usually entertaining, looking at the various European nations' quirks from an English perspective. Have a look to see if you agree.

The Dutch Lion roared

Expectations were high for the European Championship match between Holland and Italy. The young and lively Dutch team played a blinder. I believe that's the technical term. They pressed forward and attacked across the entire pitch, forcing the otherwise so crafty Italians back into an anxious and impotent defensive stance. Granted, Van Nistelrooij's first goal was an off-side one but sometimes you need luck to be on your side and the Dutch went on to impress and delight with their attractive, offensive play. Well done, lads! Onwards and upwards!

Yankee football

Last night I watched the England football team in action against the Americans at Wembley. It was only a friendly and England played some good football and won very comfortably by two goals to nil. It was nice to see Beckham get his hundredth cap. I always enjoy seeing him deliver those precise long passes to the forwards. The Americans didn’t really get a look-in and seemed quite mediocre. Not a very exciting game although we saw two good goals. Still, it’s a shame they won’t be part of the upcoming Euro finals.

The March on Moscow

Don't let them deport you to Siberia, lads..

English descend on Moscow

Fun and games tonight as Chelsea play Man United in Moscow and tens of thousands of football fans travel to see the Champions League final. Apparently, kick-off isn't until 10.45 local time so that could be interesting with fans hanging around all day. It's a good thing they're all avowed tea-totallers.

Someone posted this on a related forum today:

"Some good old-fashioned women's logic in work today. Girl asks, 'why are two English teams playing in Moscow?' Other girl replies, 'I think Chelsea's owner paid for it to be moved there...'"

FA Cup Final

Today, five hundred million people around the world will be tuning in to watch the FA Cup Final between lowly Cardiff City and Portsmouth. It is an amazing thing to realize how wide the appeal of English football has grown. It is just an exciting type of football and the FA Cup competition always raises expectations of a great final. Let's hope today will be in that fine tradition. Go Pompey!

Style versus brute force

Eduardo, an Arsenal player, was badly hurt in a tackle he sustained in a match at the weekend. Apparently, it was all a very unfortunate incident but no malice was involved from the part of the player who broke his leg. Eduardo will be out for a number of months which is bad. But I wonder whether the rarefied talented Arsenal players, hardly anyone of whom is British, are really up to the type of football as it’s played on these shores. One does like to get tough and physical, far more than is customary in Europe. Perhaps there is a discrepancy between Arsenal’s technical ability and the rough and tumble of the English Premier League?