that's why I love football - euro 08 (5)

(Torres scores the goal that secures the cup for Spain)

Spain 1 - Germany 0 and Spain are crowned European Champions. In the end a victory for football. The tournament has been excellent, with so many great games and plenty of goals. Spain scored 12 goals and conceded only 3 and even their second team won. They maintained an attacking style throughout and proved that those who play the beautiful game really can be winners.

That's why I love football!

that's why I love football - euro 08 (4)

(well one of the German defenders was called Lahm!)

They nearly did it again. After running rings around Germany for most of the match and threatening to cause their third major upset in a row, Turkey finally succumbed and went out of the tournament. Here was a side with half their squad injured, half of the rest suspended and all the pundits telling us that they didn't stand a chance. But, for a glorious few minutes it looked like Turkey would take the Germans to extra time and who knows what might have happened. Sadly, Germany scored in the last minute and not even the come back kings could salvage the game.

It was thrilling stuff and the coverage was improved by an electrical storm which meant the BBC finishing the match with TV pictures and commentary from their Radio 5 Live team. The sound wasn't quite synchronised so we heard what was happening just before we saw it but it added to the spectacle.

"Here's how the game ended on TV in Hong Kong," writes Ravi Hiranand on The Guardian website. "Five guys in a studio listening in on a phone call between one of the presenters and someone sitting in the stands attempting to describe what's happened over the noise of the crowd and an awful mobile phone connection. Of course, it's all in Cantonese. Brilliant."

Another great game in a fantastic tournament. Germany 3 - 2 Turkey.

That's why I love football!

that's why I love football - euro 08 (3)

They've done it again! With the last kick of the ball in extra time Turkey scored to take their match against Croatia to penalites. Given that Croatia had scored just a couple of minutes earlier and thought they had won, it was no surprise that the Turks were better placed for the shoot out. Croatia missed three penalties, the third saved by Rustu who had earlier made the mistake leading to Croatia's goal. That's the thrid time Turkey have saved the day in the last couple of minutes of the game. Their problem now is that half the squad is injured and several others are suspended for the semi final against Germany. Turkey 1-1 Croatia (3-1 on pens).

That's why I love football!

P.S. you may be wondering why I haven't posted on Ronaldo and the transfer saga - it's just too painful but I'm beginning to think that we would be better off selling him and taking the money.

that's why I love football - euro 08 (2)

(pic: Petr Cech drops the ball and with it the cup)

This tournament just gets better and better. Settled down with a glass of red to watch Inspector Lynley (turned out to be a repeat) confident that the footie wasn’t going to be up to much. An occasional check on the scores confirmed my decision. The Swiss were beating a second string Portugal (Portugal already through and the Swiss hosts out) and the Czech Republic seemed to be cruising against Turkey (2-0 up). Then flicked over to discover the score had changed, Turkey had scored with 15 mins to go (2-1).

Had to watch the rest of the match (besides I’d remembered who’d done it in the Lynley mystery). Thrilling stuff with Turkey throwing themselves forward and the Czech’s trying to hold on to their lead. A draw would mean penalties but with three minutes to go something happened that I thought I’d never see. Petr Cech, frequently touted as the world’s best goal keeper, drops a simple cross and the Turks equalise (2-2). A minute later and Turkey score again (2-3). Then the Czech’s break forward and Turkey’s goal keeper gets sent off for pushing the Czech striker Koller after the ball has gone out of play. The whistle blows and the Turks go wild and who can blame them. Two goals and a sending off in the last three minutes; unbelievable!

Czech Republic 2 – 3 Turkey. An ITV commentator summed it up saying he'd not be surprised if a spaceship from Mars landed in the centre circle.

That’s why I love football!

that's why I love football - euro 08 (1)

Just about got over the frustration of there being no home nations sides in Euro 08. But perhaps it's for the best because judging by some of the football on display I think we could have been severely embarrassed. Yesterday was one of the most entertaining days of international football I can remember.

First up Romania v Italy (1-1): Open game with end to end action, the World Cup champions nearly humiliated and then a fantastic penalty save denying Romania an historic win. Fair result given that Italy had a perfectly good goal ruled offside.

Then with The Guardian's Barry Glendenning having declared Romania Italy the match of the tournament along comes Holland v France (4-1). Holland had already put Italy to the sword (3-0) and topped that performance by destroying France with some brilliant adventurous attacking football not seen since the total football of the Dutch in the 70s and 80s. Holland often flatter to deceive but not last night. 1-0 up at half time their manager van Basten put on another attacker and they sliced the French apart. It was a majestic, magnificent display and reminded me of the Euro '96 encounter between England and Holland (4-1).

That is why I love football!
(couldn't resist the photo of Henry who made my life a misery when playing for Arsenal)