A night to remember: League Cup 71/72 - Part 2

Evening Standard/Getty Images Thought to be past his prime, Stoke City goalkeeper Gordon Banks

made a save for the ages in the '72 League Cup second leg semi-final versus West Ham.

West Ham's opponents in the 1972 League Cup semi-final were Stoke City, generally reckoned to be everyone's second favourite team; someone to support if you were a neutral.

The main reason for the bonhomie towards the men from the Potteries was the popularity of their manager, Tony Waddington, and his policy of picking up players who were assumed to be past their prime and giving them an opportunity to prove they were anything but. Waddington was also one of those bosses who liked to take a chance on skillful players who seemed to have lost their way or were seen as 'troublesome'. Jimmy Greenhoff, George Eastham and Peter Dobing were all first team members in 1972 and, along with Gordon Banks who was coming to the end of his glorious England career, they were seen as, depending on your view, a team of old men or experienced campaigners.

In fact, Stoke were neither and had proved themselves to be a good cup team in the early seventies, twice getting to the FA cup semi-final only to be beaten unluckily both times by Arsenal, a statistic which only seemed to confirm the suspicion that they were a bit of a bridesmaid side.

Stoke's journey to the semi-final hadn't be quite as spectacular as the Hammers', but a three match fourth round victory over Manchester United showed they meant business. But even so, West Ham were serious favourites in the two-legged semis and the first game played at Stoke's old Victoria ground just seemed to cement the odds.

It's not often you see the words 'formality' and 'West Ham' in the same sentence, but they appear in an old faded cutting I found from the Daily Express describing the first leg of what was to become a titanic struggle. Up until that time, no team that had won the first leg of a semi-final had failed to reach the final.

It was Bobby Moore who was the hero of the first leg, marshalling the defence and breaking up early Stoke pressure as the home side tried to gain an early advantage. So keen was Moore that night, the normally unflappable defender was even booked for what would now be deemed as a 'professional foul' on Jimmy Greenhoff. Elsewhere, Ferguson was defiant in goal and the whole West Ham rearguard were beating shots away in the opening quarter so it was probably no surprise when the Potters went ahead when the 33 year-old Dobing hit home unmarked after a Greenhoff shot came back to him off a post. But Stoke’s lead only lasted fourteen minutes, when the first of what was to become a number of the ties' significant penalties was given.

Eric Bloor was apparently the referee that night and he gave a spot kick when Clyde Best was adjudged to have been brought down, although there was more than a suggestion that the Bermudan had simply fallen over his own feet. Stoke protested vigorously but the decision was made. Geoff Hurst took the penalty and it is ironic that the match report made much of the fact that, 'Banks salvaged the dignity of getting his fingers to the ball'. In fact, Hurst's tactics at penalties were quite simple: hit them hard and fast into the top corner where the goalkeeper can't get them.

The England striker's premise was accurate -- like his kicking -- in that, even if the keeper guessed the right place, if the ball was hit at such a pace there was no way they could get to the shot unless they moved before the ball was struck. It was a tactic that had worked well to Hurst's advantage over the years and this time was no exception. Banks knew where the ball was going but there was little he could do to stop it.

After 67 minutes, West Ham made their 'progress towards the final a formality' (well, it was 1972!) when Harry Redknapp skipped down the wing that had been worn well by Stanley Matthews over the years and centred for Clyde Best to volley in for a 2-1 first-leg lead.

The second leg at Upton Park was played in front of the inevitable capacity crowd who expected to see the Hammers ensure a Wembley appearance. Again though, it was a tight game with the home side seemingly stuck in the grip of that age old problem when protecting a lead; push on and extend it to kill the game or keep it tight and let the chasers worry about it. There were chances at both ends but it was Stoke's centre-forward John Ritchie who struck late in the second half, after a defensive mix-up between Taylor and McDowell, to send the tie into extra-time.

West Ham at least now knew what they had to do though, and they laid siege to Stoke's goal. There were just minutes on the clock when Banks went out to claim the ball in a tussle between his team-mate, left back Mike Pejic, and Redknapp. The Hammers winger was pushed and the referee pointed to the spot. With barely a minute or so on the clock the situation was simple: Geoff Hurst v Gordon Banks for a Wembley final place.

Evening Standard/Getty Images
Geoff Hurst: The man entrusted with taking West Ham's penalties.

Memories can play tricks on you. I've heard people over the years (and Sir Geoff himself is one of them!) claim that Hurst put the ball exactly where he wanted it, in exactly the same spot where he had placed it two weeks earlier, and Banks somehow clawed it away. But the advent of a You Tube video doesn't seem to support this. In fact, Hurst hit the ball lower and slightly closer to the keeper than usual, but it may be this that makes Banks' save even more memorable because the England keeper was going for the corner and somehow adjusted his body full-flight to push his arms up and divert the ball over. ITV commentator, the legendary Brian Moore, said, "Banks has saved it…miraculously.." Banks afterwards confirmed he thought the save was better than the one he made against Pele in Mexico in 1970. I'm not sure it was but it was still a wonderful -- if sickening -- stop.

So momentous was the tussle between Hurst and Banks that the match is usually encapsulated to that two minute incident but, just after the wonder save, it's normally forgotten that, from the corner resulting from the Banks save, Redknapp hit the post with the Stoke keeper well beaten. Perhaps, in another parallel universe…

When the whistle blew, the two-legged score was 2-2 on aggregate and a replay was needed to separate the teams. The venue was Hillsborough where an incredible crowd of almost 50,000 clogged up the local traffic so badly that both teams arrived late. The vast crowd watched the two teams slug out a 0-0 draw. It wasn't exactly forgettable -- it was just that both sides seemed to cancel each other out and produce that other football conundrum of neither side wanting to make a mistake leading to a stalemate. The combined cup minutes and corresponding crowd sizes of both clubs were now starting to meet Guinness Book of Record standards and it was going to take yet another match to end the deadlock.

In fact, by the time of the second replay, it would be almost two months since the first leg tie at Stoke. The two clubs couldn't decide on a neutral venue; the Hammers wanting a London ground to avoid their fans travelling north again while Stoke wanted Old Trafford. To decide the issue, they tossed a coin and Ron Greenwood called. Apparently, Ron wasn't in a particularly good mood at the time.

The coach that had brought the West Ham team to Sheffield had been tampered with during the game, someone removing the petrol cap and tipping sand into the tank, and the team had to wait until replacement transport could be found to take them back to London. Greenwood’s mood wouldn't have improved by calling incorrectly and losing the toss for the venue. Tony Waddington made the decision of where to play. Manchester in January beckoned.

A night to remember: League Cup 71/72 - Part 1

GettyImages

West Ham's Bryan 'Pop' Robson hugs the England hero Geoff Hurst

Next Monday under floodlights at Upton Park, West Ham will face Stoke City. In the hurly-burly of the Premier League, it's another tussle for three points but long, long ago in another competition in another era for football, similar games between the same opponents produced a series of matches of epic proportions. Those who were lucky enough to see the games describe them as some of the best football matches they have ever witnessed. This is the story of those games.

It's a tale about a fantastic cup run in which West Ham beat some of the best teams of the day, eventually taking part as odds-on favourites in one of the great cup semi-finals decided over four games and 420 pulsating minutes before cruel fate and controversy intervenes to ensure it all ends in heart-breaking defeat. It may not be the type of story that you think will need re-telling after 40 years, but in many ways, the 1971/2 League Cup run is everything that West Ham United represents.

Like it or loath it, the very reason that you - young or old - support the Hammers can be laid bare on a miserable, cold, rain-sodden Manchester night in January 1972. Read on if you dare.

The League Cup run of 1971/2 began as it always does on a late summer evening when seasons hopes are high and anything is possible. The League Cup - now the Capital One Cup - was a secondary competition virtually invented to provide Championship sides (Premier League) with, initially another shot at gaining some silverware, later via a Wembley appearance and then, as the competition gained popularity, another chance at competing in Europe as the winners qualified for a European berth.

As things turned out though, the competition often threw up odd results, most significantly when Swindon beat Arsenal in the final in 1969. Not that West Ham was expected to end up us ignominious failures in 71/72 though, the Daily Express having already tipped the Hammers for the cup before a ball was even kicked.

In fact, West Ham at that time were an interesting side; still managed by Ron Greenwood, two of the World Cup winners were still there, the mighty Moore with his powers undiminished and Geoff Hurst still valuable for 20+ goals a season. Elsewhere, England prospects Frank Lampard, John McDowell, the elegant Trevor Brooking and hoped-for Moore clone Tommy Taylor were regulars. Billy Bonds was a wilder man in those days and he wasn't thought to be England material but he was a great club player nonetheless, while a young ginger-haired whippet called Harry Redknapp could be both brilliant or not depending on his mood. High hopes were still held for the big Bermudan striker Clyde Best and wearing the No: 11 shirt was one of the greatest players never to represent his country: Bryan 'Pop' Robson.

The Second Round draw paired the Hammers at home against Second Division Cardiff City. It should have been easy even if the visitors were led by an impressive Welshman called John Toshack but, as ever, the Hammers stumbled against lower opposition and, although Bonds put the home side ahead, Cardiff equalised through Alan Foggon and a replay at Ninian Park was required. In the interim though, the 3rd Round cup draw had thrown up an interesting prospect: the winners faced a home game against Don Revie's loathed and reviled but nonetheless brilliant, Leeds United - the Manchester United / Chelsea of their day

It's debatable who got most out of the prospects of the cup draw but, in a replay they were expected to lose, it was West Ham who came through in extra time against Cardiff after Hurst scored two vital goals in a 2-1 win.

It is a truth that when you think you have West Ham understood they surprise you. As my Granddad used to say of the Irons "Always expect the unexpected" and so it was the night of the cup game against Leeds. The eventual score was 0-0 but nobody knew how. The Hammers mercilessly battered Revies' team and only excellent and brutal defending - particularly by Jack Charlton - allowed the Yorkshire side to escape with a draw. Under floodlights, with the 35,000 plus crowd baying and swaying, it was described then as 'one of the best goalless games you could hope to see'. Even so, a draw was a gutting result. A replay at Leeds - and nobody won at Elland Road.

GettyImages  West Ham United youngster Harry Redknapp races down the wing

In the days before all games were covered by TV even if only for the goals, the replay in Leeds remains a mystery. Back then even the radio didn't feel the need to report on every ball kicked in every part of the country, but it didn't take a genius to learn that something special happened in Yorkshire that night when the result filtered through: Leeds United 0 West Ham 1 after extra time with Clyde Best scoring. The fans delirium was soon tempered by the thought of the next opponents though; the team who were to go on to win the league that season were the Hammer's next opponents, Bill Shankly's Liverpool.

An incredible 40,870 people piled into Upton Park to see this fourth round game. If the place was heaving for the Leeds visit then the bar rose, if possible, even higher for the visit of Liverpool. The old Upton Park under floodlights was always a magical venue but that night the crowd were enthralled by a game described by Desmond Hackett in the 'Daily Express' as 'one of the greatest games I have seen for years'.

The Hammers dominated the first half but went behind to a Bobby Graham goal and, with Geoff Hurst limping, it looked as if the cup run was to end, but Hurst's injury actually contributed to the Hammer's equaliser as the England man coming back painfully slowly from an attack was just in the right spot when Tommy Smith back-headed the ball to him following a Clyde Best shot. Interesting to note that Hackett's match report of the night mentions West Ham's 'notorious ill-luck' - you thought it was a new thing when you look at Dean Ashton? - and, with Hurst being replaced at half-time, the Hammers chances of getting through to the next round looked even slimmer as Liverpool looked for the replay back at Anfield. But then something magical happened.

The Hammer's keeper Bobby Ferguson threw the ball out to John McDowell who slipped it through to Harry Redknapp. 'Arry set off on a mazy run down the west side wing evading tackle after tackle for a full 30 yards until the by-line loomed and the ginger one looked as if he was sure to end in a heap in front of the photographers fronting the South Bank. But, it didn't happen. Instead, Redknapp crossed from the tightest of angles, the ball flew over an outstretched Clemence in the Liverpool goal and was met at the far post by Pop Robson, rising like a salmon to power in. It was glorious. Upton Park erupted; the Hammers celebrated and the dreaded replay on Merseyside was averted as they ran out 2-1 winners.

The papers the following day summed it up: 'West Ham - Pride of London'. When fans berate our ex-boss for his association with Spurs or, more likely, his annoying habit of remaining unbeaten against us, it's not the saggy chops that I see when I hear his name. Instead I see a skinny, ginger haired kid in shiny boots flying towards the South Bank at full speed and crossing a ball with speed and accuracy.

It was the 5th round now - the quarter finals - and once again the draw had given West Ham a home tie but equally it was against opponents Greenwood would not have chosen given the opportunity. This time the team due to visit Upton Park were already riding high at the top of the First Division, a side already being tipped to become perhaps the 'new Leeds', a side bristling with inventive football who'd already won at Upton Park in the league, the Hammer's next opponents were….. Sheffield United?

In 1972, Sheffield was celebrating their second season back in the big league. By November they were top of the division and, with players like the much-abused Trevor Hockey - a man who made weird-beard Derek Hales look like he suffered from alopecia - Alan Woodward and a young Tony Currie, the Blades were a team expected to go far. The Saturday before the cup game, Sheffield came to the Boleyn and won 2-1 and went into the quarter final expecting to complete a double. They didn't. In another magical night, West Ham simply blew them away in a 5-0 thrashing that could have run into double figures, so dominant were the men in claret and blue, playing scintillating football that had the home crowd - another 36,000 plus - roaring and singing as Sheffield chased shadows. The defeat was so epic that the Blades were never the same after, slipping down the league to finish 10th.

At Upton Park though, the celebrations went long into the night as Hammers fans looked forward to a semi-final - the first since the glory days of the mid-sixties - against perennial bridesmaid side Stoke City. The semi-final meant a two-legged affair so at least one match was guaranteed under the Upton Park floodlights.

The saga was about to begin

More London2012 Photos

                                                                  Midnight after 'Super Saturday'

About as close as I'll ever get to a Gold medal

The view from the 'Help Desk'

                                                       When the crowds go home...

West Ham United: An Unreliable History

Prince Harry looks around the dressing room at West Ham United's Upton Park in 2002.

Good to see that some readers of this blog take the time to write their thoughts and comments underneath. Input - good or bad - is always appreciated. Some though still prefer to email, and that's what occurred last week when I heard from a Mr Simon Bishop who resides in Chicago.

Simon is one of those Hammers fans who has never actually visited the ground - in fact, Simon has never even been to England - and supports the Irons through a hereditary chain stemming from his grandfather. Simon asked me why West Ham's home ground is called the Boleyn and I replied explaining that the Boleyn pub is just outside the ground. This prompted him to Google map the whole area and he wrote again to ask if I could explain further why, with the Boleyn at the centre, the roads around Upton Park are named after Henry VIII's wives: with Katherine Road (for some reason - never understood - my family refer to it as Kath-rine; the latter syllable sounding like bacon rind), Parr, Cleves, Seymour and Arragon roads all criss-crossing the area.

Well, of course, Royal patronage is something that West Ham have enjoyed for some time. Some may recall the 'rumour' that the Queen was a West Ham fan and certainly Her Majesty and Prince Philip opened up the Rio Stand and hotel in 2001. There is also a photo in the archives of Prince Harry being given his own claret and blue shirt with 'Harry' on the back following a visit to the training ground, some years back. Rumours that the shirt was, in fact, one of Mr Redknapp's old ones found crumpled in a locker and given a quick starch and iron by Doris the kit lady, can probably be discounted.

However, as every good West Ham fan knows, the Hammers' links to the Royal Family go back even further, several centuries in fact. The biggest Hammers patron must surely be Henry VIII who was a regular visitor to Upton Park back when the Hammers were known as Ye Olde Ironworkes. Anne Boleyn was, of course, an equally fervent supporter and this was one of the things that drew the couple together back in 1527.

It isn't something that is much mentioned in the history books but Katherine of Aaragon's preference for Real Madrid was a big stumbling block in her marriage to the King and made the lure of Anne almost irresistible to the famously footloose Henry. The King eventually dumped his first wife, although not before he bestowed the honour of naming the major farm road that ran from East Hame to Green Street after her. Katherine Road still survives today; sadly there are few farms and pigs down it now - although anyone stumbling down it on a Saturday night may disagree!

Despite the new Queen's fascination with the Claret and Blue, Anne was notoriously afraid of big crowds, and the jostling and good natured banter back on the Cockerel run – as it was then known – wasn't really to her taste. Subsequently, Henry used to leave the poor girl in the snug of the 'Postilion and Wild Boar' while he went to watch the matches. It was many years after that the pub was renamed the 'Boleyn' in honour of Anne's patronage and her predilection for Watney's Horse-rub Pale Ale.

Sadly, as every Schoolboy knows, Henry's passion for Anne didn't survive his love for football although surely the young Queen bought some of the misfortune on her own head (no pun intended) when – in a particularly vicious argument – Anne rather stupidly claimed she had a preference for local North London Towne soccer rivals, Tottingham Horsespurs. This was too much for Henry and he had her head lopped off for her bad taste. If only such things were allowed today all our lives would be much the richer.

Probably, the next major Royal connection was when the Queen Mum - then Queen Elizabeth, of course – visited the East End during the war. It was said after a German bomb hit Buckingham Palace that the Queen proclaimed: "At last, I can look the East End in the eye". I'm not sure the eye she referred to belonged to my Grandmother though, Nan was bombed out of her house three times during the blitz and certainly believed the Queen was no more than 'merely inconvenienced' by having to move to one of her ten other bedrooms.

They used to say in the blitz that there was nothing you could do with the bomb that 'had your name on it' and this was a constant worry to my Gran who had Mr & Mrs Doodlebug lodging in one of her upstairs rooms. She was a lot happier in 1944 though when she moved down to Poplar and lived next door to that nice Maltese lady, Mrs Veetoo.

So there we have it, Royal patronage and a brief potted history of West Ham. Never let it be said you don't learn things from this blog. Please feel free to keep posting and if you do prefer to email then billyblagg@hotmail.com is your option.

Captain Olympic!

Sadly, contractual agreements prevent me discussing my role with LOCOG - and that's a shame as I have some great stories to recount on the Blog.

But, if nothing else, I thought you'd like to see some Olympic photos taken by my own fair hand at the World's foremost sporting event.

Enjoy! - and if you live in the UK and haven't visited the wonderful Olympic Park yet and taken in the electric atmosphere there, then I urge you to try and blag yourself a ticket.

For anyone who used to go to Hackney Dog Track - I've got news! They've had the decorators in and you wouldn't recognise the place...

Whoever thought of the idea of having Beach Volleyball along the Mall should be knighted or given a Lordship or something.... It's bizarre but utterly wonderful!

Despite what Lady Blagg thinks: I was only there for the sport...

Euro 2012 - Goodbyee - Final Match Report and Review

As another tournament ends, I'd first just like to thank Soccernet for giving me the opportunity to lumber their pages with my amateurish - but well intentioned - prattle. Secondly, many thanks to all those of you who took the time to read the Blagg column and send in comments and emails.

For those with an interest in the domestic English Premier League, I hope to be back next season as West Ham United correspondent and - who knows? God, Soccernet editors and Lady Blagg willing - I may even be back here for Brazil 2014.

Now, I'm outta here... someone turn off the lights, eh?

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Italy 0 Spain 4

A masterclass of football. I've always said the 1970 Brazilian team was the best I'd ever seen but I'm starting to think this Spanish side could actually give them a game. From front to back and onto the bench, Spain were superior in every department to an Italian team that wasn't that bad in itself, just outplayed by a squad that is likely to become legendary in international football.

Spain looked stronger from the off and immediately it became apparent that Italy's playmaker Andrea Pirlo would not be dictating play as he did against England and Germany. Pushed back deep in his own half and harried by three or four Spanish players, it sometimes seemed as if there were more men in red shirts on the pitch than those in blue.

It was no surprise when Spain went ahead after 14 minutes, Andres Iniesta finding Fabregas superbly running into the area, taking on the full-back and cutting the ball back for Silva to head home from an angle.

Italy went on the offensive after and had a spell of pressure but it was not much more than that as, unlike the 1970 Brazilians, this Spanish team is as effective at the back as they are everywhere else. Even when breached, Casillas is able to deal with everything.

On 41 minutes, Xavi threaded a fine through-ball to left-back Jordi Alba who had put in a sprint that would likely find him a place at the Olympics - the new Barcelona player outdistanced the Italian defence and slotted home past Buffon. In between the goals, Spain had put on a thrilling sideshow of intricate passing that took the breath away; no longer passing for its own sake as they seemed to do earlier in the tournament, each move seemed to open up the Italians leaving them chasing shadows. It really was quite exquisite.

In all honesty, Italy looked out of it and although the introduction of Di Natale for Cassano did give the team a brief respite just after half-time, chances were no more than brave efforts in a tide of red passing. On the hour, with the Italians visibly wilting, Thiago Motta was introduced for Riccardo Montolivo. As the injured Giorgio Chiellini had been replaced by Federico Balzaretti early in the game, this was Italy's last throw off the dice - a move that signalled the end of the game when Motta pulled up clutching his hamstring and had to be carried off.

With Italy down to ten men, Spain threw on Torres who promptly helped himself to the Golden Boot, scoring on 84 minutes, flicking the ball round Casillas when played through and then gaining an 'assist' by selflessly slipping the ball for Mata - who'd only been on the field for two minutes - to strike home Spain's fourth.

As the final whistle blew, the Italians generously applauded their opponents realising that they had been dismantled by probably one of the best passing sides ever witnessed in world football. Balotelli stormed off for a while but returned later to get his runners-up medal. As the impressive fireworks exploded around the ground, you couldn't help but consider the fireworks that had been seen on the pitch. Spain are the only side to have retained the European trophy and the only team to have done the Euro - World Cup - Euro treble. It may be a while before we see another name on an international trophy.

This was an excellent tournament, played in an impressive spirit with little unsporting play and surprisingly few red cards; the right team won and - more importantly - so did football.

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The End of the line

I always find the end of tournaments to be a bittersweet time.

It's sad the competition is over for another four years, but that sadness is always tinged with a bit of relief from the intensity of daily matches for three weeks. More importantly though, at the conclusion, you can sit back without favour and predjudice and, stripped of all the expectation, bombast, criticism and disappointment, just see things for the way that they really are. Sometimes that way is to be expected, others not. I'd opine that Euro2012 is a little of both.

A final between Italy and Spain provides us with an interesting counterpoint. In Spain, we have the reigning European and World Champions who, though they seem to have lost a bit in attack due to injury and - perhaps (it's arguable) - loss of form, are still pretty much the same team they were four years ago. They know what to do, how to win and, more importantly, forgotten how to lose. They are virtually a goal up psychologically before the match starts and this is unlikely to change until this squad of players reach the end and slowing of their careers.

It's true some of their play has been ponderous at times and shows that, however beautifully you pass the ball, without shots and saves the game can become tedious. But that shouldn't disguise that Spain are in the final because they pretty much have the best players, all playing to the peak of their considerable skills. In retrospect, it's difficult to see any way they <strong>couldn't</strong> have reached the final.

In Italy though we have an interesting alternative. Without a doubt Pirlo is one of the best players in the world, but it's the emergence of Balotelli that has lifted the Italians beyond the point most of us thought they were at. Perhaps quarter finals or semi's seemed the limit of their expectations at the beginning...but was that fair? After all, I can't remember many tournaments where Italy were a team you wanted to play, always a threat over the decades, the Azzuri seem to do whatever is required to get out of the group before stepping up a gear. Italy have done it for as long as I can remember, and we really should be expecting it by now, almost to the extent that If I wanted England to emulate another country it would be Italy not Spain, Germany or France.

It may seem harsh but I take some comfort from the fact that Germany just weren't as good as we thought they were. I, for one, got tired of the constant pant-wetting that accompanied their every mention. I wasn't entirely convinced anyway, but again, with final day hindsight, it's easy to see that, for all their strengths and even with the probable exception of Ozil, the Germans are a Pirlo, Balotelli or an Iniesta or Fabregas away from a final.

Portugal are a good side, but I'm not sure they have a squad of good-enough players that can complement the team around star man Ronaldo enough to really take an extra step. One man can make a team - Maradona in '86 for Argentina and Zidane for France in '98 - proved that, but I don't sense the rest of the Portuguese team can elevate themselves to just below the level of greatness required.

Of course, England were poor against Italy and many people expressed the view that we'd actually stopped ourselves from a humbling experience against Germany, but I think I'd rather have played Germany than Italy. Also, it's all very well saying England are a quarter-final team - after all last eight seems about right, in all honesty - but I'd have still fancied Roy Hodgson's side against the Czech Republic or Greece so I think a better draw might have helped our progress. On such narrow things are issues decided.

France still have some players you might cast envious eyes at - if you're English anyway - as do Holland, but if England really want to berate ourselves as a second-rate football nation we do really need to consider that - in this tournament, at least - we certainly bested France and Holland. To add to that, England have gone out to the finalists , maybe even the winners, and could probably have expected to beat at least two of the others joining us in the quarter finals.

In fact, I find myself doing something that I do at virtually every tournament and that's casting an eye round at the 'usual suspects' and just making sure England are not dropping below that mark. Critics weren't best pleased at the style or manner of England's play, but I reckon the group games showed significant improvement, even if only in terms of results. We've at last found a way to beat Sweden and a home nation and certainly played France when they were at their best and come out with a draw. With respect to the host nations, Greece, the Czech's and Russians etc. I'm not seeing nations that are likely to trouble the trophy engravers before England.

I'm not suggesting things are better than they look but I certainly don't think we're the laughing stock of Europe either, despite the way we like to paint ourselves. It goes without saying that we don't hold the ball well and lack those extra special players who win tournaments, but I do think we need to be reasonable too. We're a generation at least away from Spain but only a player or two short of an Italy.

It's a miss - and it's as good as a mile too (or at least an Ashley Young penalty) - but the hard facts suggest, if not something entirely encouraging, that at least there is something to aim for that is not completely beyond capabilities either. It may be all that's left to latch onto because Brazil 2014 is up next; we'll be playing in someone else's back yard and they sure as hell won't be lending us their ball!

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What They Say No: 3

David Beckham: "I'm disappointed to have not been picked for the 2012 Olympic team but I hope to have a role at the Olympics somewhere"

Blagg: "I'm on site there at the moment David, and there's a really good concession down by the side of the Orbit that do a really tasty cheese and pickle one"

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Euro 2012 - Day 18 England go out backwards

England 0 Italy 0 (AET Italy win 4 - 2 on Penalties)

A 50/50 game I think I suggested on Sunday...oh dear, oh dear, how wrong can you be?

© PA Photos

Well, at least I said that Andrea Pirlo would be influential and I think we can certainly say he ran the show. In fact this was a game dominated by Italy for long periods and it's hard to deny that the right team won the penalty shootout. The ESPN stats say Italy struck an astonishing 35 shots on goal with 20 on target; It didn't exactly feel like that - England have so mastered the body thrown in front of the shot tactic that I'm not even sure that counts - but, in terms of possession and domination, there can be no argument as to who bossed the game.

If France didn't look as if they wanted a semi-final place on Saturday, then England can at least claim, perhaps, that they wanted one but just didn't have the skill, ability or nous to achieve it. At least I am assuming that is what we can glean from England's performance on Sunday night, although they spent so long with their back to the wall defending it is quite difficult to know.

England gave the ball away - on the rare occasions they had it, that is - chased shadows and generally looked as if they were playing for penalties from half-time. That they failed and went out again on spot kicks, just produced a rueful smile from this end of the keyboard. This is nowhere near as painful as Italia 90 or Euro 96 and, to be honest, if England had won this on penalties then I think it might have been ever so slightly embarrassing. As it was the miss by Ashley Young at least underlined what a poor tournament he has had, although Ashley Cole perhaps deserved better than to have his crucial last kick easily saved.

Of further interest is the surprising statistic that seems to suggest that the team that misses the first penalty often goes on to win and also that you can talk about the practice you have put in until you are blue in the face but, ultimately, if you're not confident or assured as you step up then you will be found out. Neither Young, Cole or Riccardo Montolivo, who missed Italy's second penalty, looked like they were convinced they would score - play the penalty competition back on the TV and look at their eyes - but ex-West Ham player Allessandro Diamanti looked certain as he came up to slot away the winning kick. (If there was any doubt I saw Diamanti change feet as he took a penalty at Upton Park once).

But back to the game proper, where it all looked so promising in the first ten minutes or so when, first, Claudio Marchisio found Daniele de Rossi to allow the Italian to strike from 25 yards, the ball curving away from Joe Hart's dive, striking the post and flying off to safety. Moments later, England hit back when the excellent Glen Johnson - he had an impressive night - went on a mazy run before laying a pass off to Ashley Young. Young found James Milner who slipped the ball back to Johnson in front of the goal. Unfortunately, the ball seemed to stick under Johnson's feet but he managed to shovel in rather than shoot and Gianluigi Buffon made an excellent save, slightly going back due to the surprise of the shot.

It all looked promising, if not just in terms of match-play but also England hopes, but suddenly after 20 minutes or so Pirlo started to become more influential, the Italian playmaker sending Mario Balotelli through, John Terry making an excellent saving tackle. Even though Wayne Rooney sent a header over, there was an ominous feeling that this was going to become a war of attrition as England fell back in defence and the Italians played it along the line if front of them.

If watching fans thought the half-time whistle would enable England to re-group and take some of the possession back from Italy, then we were sadly mistaken as the second half soon became a game of Italian flair and pressure and England obstinacy and never-say-die attitude.

As I expressed earlier in the tournament, I have no trouble with watching excellent defending - and England might possibly be the best team I've ever seen at it - but there has to be some point in funnelling backwards all the time, and watching England hoof the ball up in the hope that someone would hold it, only to see it flying back in from the wings, was becoming a depressing sight.

Riccardo Montolivo sent a pass over the England defence and it dropped for Balotelli, but he could only volley straight to Hart. Then at the other end, Danny Welbeck had a good opportunity from a Rooney pass but hit it over when he should have done better. Balotelli kicked a post after missing an opportunity involving Pirlo and Antonio Cassano but at least he was involved while England's front man Rooney was having a miserable night - if he'd kicked a post it would have been the closest he came to the goal all night!

In the second half, England were almost behind straight after the interval when Marchisio's pass to De Rossi in the penalty area only saw the Italian midfielder volley wide from short distance when he had more time than he obviously realised. With Pirlo now at the back virtually dictating where play would go next, it was desperate defending as John Terry denied Balotelli at the far-post before Hart did well to stop De Rossi's long-range effort and also Balotelli's follow-up. Montolivo picked up the loose ball after Hart's second save but his shot was scorched over.

In midfield, Steven Gerrard was involved in some dangerous looking free-kicks, but otherwise the England captain was forced to chase back and harass the Italians - a self-defeating exercise that saw him collapse with cramp with another 20 minutes of the second half still to play. In front of him, Rooney and Young were virtually non-existent as an attacking force, although it was Welbeck who came off to be replaced by Carroll on the hour and Milner who was substituted by Walcott a minute later. Neither substitution provided much respite for England although at least Carroll won some headers, although much good it did him and the rest of the team.

In what might have been a cruel twist of fate for the Italians, a Rooney bicycle kick shortly before the end of normal time could have proved disastrous for the men in blue but the Manchester United player's touch was slightly too early and the ball sailed over the bar. England's paucity of ideas was highlighted when, with seconds on the clock, a throw-in was given back to the Italians to launch a last-minute attack. It seemed to underline just how poor England were at retaining the ball, not just with feet but by hands!

So it went into extra time and, as is so often the way with the extra 30 minutes, the game lost shape and purpose with Italy battering the wall of the English defence and Terry and Co booting it away wherever it would go. However, Antonio Nocerino thought he had won the game six minutes from the end but his header was correctly ruled out for offside, although it was a close thing.

When the whistle went for full-time and the inevitable penalties arrived, there was an odd atmosphere in the Wine Lodge (ha!) where I watched the game. Of all England's players, it is Hart who has looked to gain the most from this tournament - surely on the edge of becoming a real world-class keeper - and the confidence of the talk emanating from the England camp really gave hope that the penalties would all be OK this time out. But it wasn't to be, ensuring that the hoodoo will haunt England for many more tournaments to come but also starkly emphasising that, even when kicking the ball in a line from 12 yards away, England are still not as good as their chief opponents.

The major conclusion - although it's not really something we didn't know before - is that England lack the class of player who can do to a game what Pirlo did for Italy. And it's difficult to see anyone around who might change that.

Euro 2102 - Day 13 England: On my radio

England 1 Ukraine 0

I should admit first off that, for the first time since 1970 *gulp* I missed watching an England tournament match on TV.

The reason, involving Ascot races, three drunken women and a traffic queue in which I travelled ¾‘s of a mile in 100 minutes, is something I’d rather not recount here, but take it that if you look up ‘Mad’ in an online dictionary, the picture of a wet hen will probably have been replaced by a photo of me at 9pm last night.

Still, from adversity comes opportunity, and I gained a useful insight on how a match comes across on radio when compared to a later highlights package, and also how damnably pessimistic BBC Radio Five Lives’ commentators are. If I’d been able to get to a phone I would have even considered ringing 606 (For non-UK readers: This is a live football phone-in show for the terminally stupid) and this, believe me, would have marked a nadir in my life from which I may never have recovered.

The upshot of all this though is that, remarkably, England’s 1-0 win over Ukraine and the surprising 2-0 capitulation of France to Sweden means England top Group D and face a quarter-final match-up with Italy. Common opinion is that we ‘dodged’ Spain – an opportunity now afforded Group runners-up France – but I’m of the opinion that the Champions are looking off-colour and due a defeat, although I’m not sure if les bleus can deliver it on last night’s form.

Ukraine and Sweden go home, although the Swedes in particular will look at the two leads they held against Ukraine and, more importantly, England and wonder if things might have been so different.

Onto the match though, where England beat a host nation for the first time in a generation with a Wayne Rooney header from a foot out. A cross from – who else? – the excellent man of the Match Steven Gerrard, that eluded everyone including the Ukrainian keeper Pyatov, who merely tipped the ball on to the waiting head of England’s returning hero.

That goal, just three minutes after half-time, settled England, who had looked vulnerable to excellent play in the first half from a spirited Ukraine intent on taking a home nation to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, listening to the play on the radio and seeing it in highlight form later on, only served to emphasise that, whatever the limitations of England’s play are, they actually looked more likely to score than the hosts. Such is Joe Hart’s growing stature as a goal-keeper, you can virtually eliminate any speculative shot from outside the area as a chance, even if it is on-target, and in front of him Lescott and Terry formed a formidable barrier.

Sure Ukraine attacked on both flanks and looked comfortable taking the English defence on and, as in previous games, white shirted defenders were forced to throw their bodies in front of shots occasionally but, for all their invention and pressure, Ukraine could only point to one or two half chances and while BBC commentators continue to bemoan the fact that we don’t retain the ball for long enough, the fact remains that England are extremely good at soaking up pressure and taking the few chances presented to them. Play to your strengths, I say.

True the situation may have been different had the injured Shevchenko been able to make more than the late token appearance he actually made, but the fact remains the best opportunity of the first half fell to a ring rusty Wayne Rooney on 27 minutes, when the Manchester United striker only had to make a clean contact with Ashley Young’s cross to score. But Rooney seemed to misjudge the cross and his far-post header – more of a hair weave graze really – sailed wide of keeper Andriy Pyatov’s goal.

At the other end Devic was behind most Ukraine attacks and Scott Parker had to block a goal-bound sho,t while Devic again started the move that ended with Andriy Yarmolenko forcing a low save out of Joe Hart. Ashley Young gave the ball away just before half-time but Oleh Gusev could only shoot over, while Yarmolenko’s dribble was stopped at the last by the impressive Joleon Lescott.

The major talking point in terms of Ukraine chances though will undoubtedly be the ‘goal’ scored by Devic just after the hour, after Hart superbly parried the player’s shot only for the ball to bounce towards England’s unguarded goal. John Terry running back hooked the ball of the line. That is, the line that wasn’t painted a yard into the goalmouth… instant replays showing the ball had more than crossed the generally accepted goal line.

Naturally, this brought forth a stream of invective from the radio pundits asking exactly what the extra referees introduced to stand on the line were actually doing. Now, most fans know, of course, that the job of the extra ref’s is to imitate the three wise monkeys and see, hear and speak of nothing at all. But, as not seeing the incident brought up pictures of the ball bouncing in clean ground as Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ did in Bloemfontein against Germany, two years ago, I was quite interested to see the incident later on TV.

Now I’m not in mind to defend the extra ref – standing as he was six feet away and facing the goal post on his right. But as Terry hooked the ball while in mid-air, it’s my feeling that, with the netting in view and the speed of the ball followed by the human eye, it may just prove too difficult to ascertain if the ball has really crossed or not. It would be interesting to actually ask the official what he thought he saw or didn’t.

Cue the clamour for goal-line technology but, once again, I have to ask the obvious question. If the BBC knew the ball crossed due to VT / TV play-back’s within 10 seconds of the incident, why are we trialling some gizmo software when we have the technology already in place?

“UEFA – FIFA meet John Logie Baird,”
“Mr Baird? These dumb executives dressed as Ostriches represent 21st Century football… by the way Sir, did you think it was over?”

As Devic’s ‘goal’ came minutes after Artem Milevskiy had sent a header wide when he should have done better, the cumulative effect was to suggest that this England team were having a tad more luck than some of those sent from these shores. Certainly there was more of a sense now that England had done enough, and when news travelled through that elsewhere, the Swedes had doubled their earlier lead over France, the air of acceptance seemed to transmit itself from pitch to grandstand and, though they continued to press and Shevchenko was introduced, Ukraine sensed their opportunity had been lost.

As before, it was England who came closest again when Ashley Cole nearly marked his 97th cap with a goal, Pyatov recovering from a poor attempt to deal with a cross.

When the whistle blew and England had confirmed their continuance as group leaders, players, coaching staff and fans celebrated on a job well done. Of course, over at the BBC, experts confirmed that we shouldn’t, in fact, have taken any points at all from any of our games but, other than that, it was a good evening to be an England supporter…. even if you were trapped in a car with snoring women and the smell of stale champagne and vomit.

Euro 2012 - Day 8 England win thriller

England 3 Sweden 2

...and then there are the good nights...

In a storming game in Kiev, England took the lead, lost it, drew level and eventually ran out winners in an absorbing contest that shredded nerves but, ultimately, brought a warm glow of satisfaction. Not in a 'we're going all the way now' type way but just a feeling that some of England's younger players have what it takes, particularly up-front and in wide positions where Welbeck, Carroll and, later, Walcott showed maturity, skill and a fair turn of pace too.

It's just a shame that returning home after every England game, it's so difficult to stop yourself listening to the inane prattling taking place on the radio phone-in shows where opinions veer from the wildly optimistic to the tediously negative with seemingly no appreciation of things starting from small places. For this was an encouraging performance, not without fault - for once England's solid defence looked anything but - but in belief and determination being allied to a little bit of skill.

Bearing in mind that we seldom beat Sweden at all and most games with the men in yellow and blue are often dull, this game came as something of a surprise. After an initial bit of Swedish possession and English probing, the first real chance fell to Scott Parker who lashed a shot from just outside the area which was tipped away by goal-keeper Isaksson.

Larsson shot from distance soon after but Hart was untroubled, gathering the ball to him as it landed on his chest. Most of Sweden's attacks seemed to be coming through Ibramhimovich but much of the threat fizzled out when it reached England's penalty area. At the other end however, Milner saw a solid cross glance off Welbeck in a good position before England went ahead in some style after 23 minutes.

A superb ball from Gerrard from just inside his own half was met by Andy Carroll who tensed his neck muscles and sent a glorious header into the Swedish net. Wild scenes erupted in 'Pat Malloy's' in Colchester (what's happened to the 'Wig & Pen' now renamed 'The Princess'? Is nothing sacred?) and England looked good for the lead. Everything I suggested might happen with Carroll (see my pre-tournament review) was now looking a good call as the Liverpool man started to harass the Swedish defence with his strong running and aerial ability. At the other end Hart gathered another Ibramhimovich shot that took a deflection as two players threw themselves in front of his shot but, as happened with France earlier this week, there was a feeling that England's defence wasn't going to easily beaten. How wrong that turned out to be...

Young wasted a good chance when an excellent Cole pass saw the Manchester United man race clear of the defence, his shot turned away at the near post when there were better options. Kallstrom then shot narrowly over before Hart had to come smartly off his line to gather a through ball as Elmander got close, repeating the action on the stroke of half-time at the feet of Svensson.

Within four minutes of the restart though, Sweden were level. There were probably many reasons for the defensive mess that opened up in front of Hart but I blamed myself, having moved from 'Pat Malloy's' where an Oasis tribute band had struck up, to 'Yates' Wine Lodge' (has there even been a bigger misnomer than 'Wine Lodge'?) for a better view and atmosphere. Carroll was booked for catching the heels of Svensson, and from the free-kick Imrahimovitch's shot cannoned off the wall but fell back to him to try and scissor-kick goalwards. The ball somehow found the feet of Mellberg whose shot was palmed by Hart onto Johnson, the defender getting back to stop the ball on the line only to see it ricochet off the post onto the player and into the net. Mellberg claimed the goal as Sweden celebrated.

Johnson couldn't be blamed for the goal but, in any case, made amends shortly after tackling Kellstrom with the goal at his mercy. It was a superb interception and stopped the Swede from getting a shot away. It proved crucial as England went behind just under the hour when Milner was booked for another unnecessary tackle and from the resulting free-kick an unmarked Mellberg headed in as all, defence and fans, stood open-mouthed in disbelief. It was appalling defending and utterly unlike England. Where would England go from here and, more importantly, should I go back to 'Pat Malloy's'?

Chasing the game, on the hour Hodgson now made a tactical masterstroke, putting on Walcott for the frustrating Milner just as John Terry saw his point blank header superbly tipped over by Isaksson. From the resulting corner, the ball found its way out to Walcott standing 10 yards outside the area and the Arsenal man looked up and drilled the ball past the whole Swedish team and into the net. Walcott grinned ruefully, he's not been on the pitch three minutes, the ball didn't even take a deflection and I'd suggest Theo could try that 100 times a day and never get the same result!

The game now become an end to end affair with Kallstrom blazing over when he should have done better and Ibrahimovic forcing a smart save from Hart but the whole match turned again when Walcott got past the back of a static defence and crossed low for Welbeck to spin and hit home with a back-heel on 78 minutes. Cue chaos in the ground and in pubs around the country as the fans went wild.

England visibly grew while Sweden looked stunned and, although they pressed never looked like scoring again, England on the other hand broke away and Gerrard could easily have made it four but for a fine stop by the keeper. The whistle blew moments later and England went second in the group while Sweden found themselves out. This result could go a long way to deciding how this England team develops from this tournament regardless of what happens later this month.

A little earlier in the day, the France v Croatia match was halted during a fierce electrical storm but, inclement weather or no, France reigned - ha! See what I did there? - on this one and scored two second-half goals from Menez and Cabeye to top the group.

Euro 2012 - Day 5 Blagg rants!

I was going to start this rant by saying 'There's more than one way to skin a cat' but then I noticed my own feline friend, Paolo Di Cattio (below), watching me balefully from my office chair, claws poised on the leather, and decided to go another route. (I'm having to type this standing up! What strange hold does that cat have over me that stops me from throwing it off?).

How about 'Football's a funny old game' then? A cliché certainly, but in truth, it's not really 'funny' is it? I mean, it's about as simple as you can get: 22 men, 11 in a team with the task of getting one ball in the opposing net and only the goal-keeper can touch the ball with his hands.


If it goes off the side then you throw it back on, if it comes off the end you kick it back in from the corner. That's it, isn't it? OK I'll accept the third phase of an offside player who wasn't when he started the move, may require the use of a Quantum Physicist but that aside, what else is there to keep the entire world so fascinated?

Well of course, what is so beautifully exhibited at every tournament, in every league, in any cup competition on any given Saturday, Sunday or whenever is that, in football, nothing is really certain. You can have the greatest forwards in the world but if they come up against the greatest defenders then there's always the possibility that a lucky hoof down the field may result in your team winning even though they've barely crossed the half-way line all game.

Some may find this annoying, but anyone with any soul will find it life-affirming. After all, if sport is to have any meaning then it musn't always be decided before a whistle has been blown, gun fired, toss decided or whatever. In sport as life, if we can decide the outcome before we start then there is absolutely no point in starting. Uncertainty is not just a fact, it's a neccessity!

Now essentially I understand in football that an attacking player or midfielder is viewed as a creator, an artist or artisan. A defender on the other hand is often referred to as a stopper and stopping something is seen as a negative. But is this right? Some of the most stylish and technically gifted players I've seen have been defenders and why should it be that if an intricate fifteen pass move from a group of gifted forwards finds its way onto the head of a brutal, 15 stone lump who dumps it in Row Z, the defender is seen as some sort of spoilsport? I mean, couldn't it be argued those gifted forwards should try and avoid that head if they are any good?

I, for one, am tired, oh so tired, of coaches and even fans bemoaning teams who don't 'play the game'. No lesser light that Laurent Blanc, former World Cup and European Championship winner, said something to this effect this week. "You hope that the team playing football wins but this is not always the case". It's the 'playing football' bit that gets me. It's as if two different games are being played; one by the 'pretty boys' and the other by those clueless oiks who spoil it for the rest. What a load of tosh.

Semantics are very much to the fore here. Ironic really, as the exotically romantic Laurent Blanc would be plain old Larry White if he'd been born here. I notice Patrice Evra (Patty Evra?) joined in after yesterday's honourable draw between France and England too; "England played like Chelsea," said the Manchester United defender. Really? I bloody hope so as it means I'll see England lift a trophy before I shuffle off this mortal coil. But, of course, that wasn't what Evra meant. What he was alluding too is that England annoyingly didn't lay down when the shimmering skills of the French bore down on them.

Now, I'm no supporter of Chelsea, but I get really annoyed by people who seem to resent the fact that the west london club had the audacity to win the Champions League by scoring more goals than they conceded. Terrible of them! How dare they defend to a man and sneak a last minute goal against Barcelona and all their wonderful artists! And what's this nonsense where you score more penalties than the other side? Many people said that 'Football didn't win that night'  but I'd say, whatever else you thought about Chelsea's matches against Barcelona and Bayern, football in all it's glorious uncertainty won those nights.

Yes, I'm happy to see skilful play by gifted players and if that results in the team I support winning then so much the better. But you also have to applaud the other side to that particular situation and accept that there is a place for stoical, hard-tackling workers who give it their all and are content to drive on all day and stop - fairly, it has to be stressed - those tasked with doing the creating. And if we want to play 'football' (inverted commas intended) and don't think it's being done correctly the right way at the moment, why not look at the standard of refereeing or find some other way of cutting out the petty ankle taps, shirt tugging and rolling on the floor as if shot when lightly touched antics?

And, yea, I'll don my red and white (possibly blue too) bowler here and claim that in that area, if in no other, others would do well to learn from the British. Interesting that no-one suggests you're not 'playing football' when your players crumple in a heap at the merest suggestion of bodily contact.

Now lest I'm accused of xenophobia - and I will be - I should point out that this 'there's only on of us trying to play football properly' mentality applies to our own nation and leagues as well and I recently experienced it when my own team, West Ham United, won the Play-off final to Blackpool and the Tangerines' central defender complained that the Hammer's were populated by tall lumps who did nothing but try and stop Blackpool's admittedly attractive short passing game. I've had enough!

Football is a wonderful, multi-faceted game and we should embrace all aspects and this arrivisite view - and it has to be said its primarily promoted by exponents of the beautiful game who don't always get to take the trophy home - should be consigned to history as quickly as possible. We're all playing football so stop suggesting otherwise.

Greece v Czech Republic - Poland v Russia

Due to work commitments and the monthly Blagg pub quiz in Colchester tonight - pop along why don't you? (email me) - there's not likely to be much football watching today. But don't let that stop you enjoying yourself, will you?

Euro 2012 - Day 4 England 1 France 1 / Ukraine 2 Sweden 1

England 1 France 1 / Ukraine 2 Sweden 1

England fought their way to an honourable draw against France in Donetsk, taking the lead through Joeleon Lescott after half-an-hour but being pegged back by a Nasri strike ten minutes later.

It was difficult to comprehend the searing heat watching in chilly, wet England but it wasn't hard to see how drained some of the players were towards the end and it will be interesting to see how the teams cope in this group if the heatwave continues; one BBC radio pundit saying he'd never experienced anything like it outside of Spain or Brazil.

Roy Hodgson surprised everyone by including Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain to start - he was apparently told just a few hours before kick-off - and going with Manchester United's Danny Wellbeck up front. Neither player disgraced themselves with the Arsenal winger looking like he should have a good international future, his speed sure to cause problems to a lot of defences even if it wasn't used to great effect in this game due to the Manager's game plan.

Much will be made of the obvious differences in style - of which more tomorrow, by the way! - but, for the most part, the French passing and patient build-up foundered on a solid England back-four. Well, quelle surprise! The men in white had chances of their own however and, of all the opportunities that Les Bleus will point too, none was better than the one squandered by James Milner after he had been played beyond the square French defence by an excellent through ball from Ashley Young. Milner rounded the keeper but shot wide with the goal gaping and replays showing the English wide man had enough time to steady himself and shoot with either foot. I didn't feel much was made of it on TV but at international level, chances like this really need to be taken.

England didn't need to wait too much longer to go ahead though. Captain Gerrard curled in an excellent free-kick that had to be retaken as the referee wasn't ready, and Lescott got beyond the defence to head home. Cue wild scenes in most pubs across the UK - for reasons I won't explain I ended up in the Bell and Gate in Collier Row, Romford - echoed shortly after when Joe Hart made a brilliant point-blank save from Diarra.

It looked like it might be England's night but France promptly burst the balloon on 39 minutes when Nasri scored low to Hart's near post following intricate passing involving Evra and Ribery on the edge of the penalty box. It looked as if the small area beyond Hart's hand should really have been covered by the Manchester City stopper but he explained after he didn't see the shot through the bodies, something indicating England's propensity for defending too deep sometimes and certainly at this stage of the match where they needed to consolidate their lead.

The goal livened up France though and England spent pretty much the next 15 minutes defending while the men in blue shirts passed back and forth amongst themselves in front of them. Benezema looked dangerous with a couple of attempts but the blocks and headers out came thick and fast and France didn't really create any clear-cut openings, the half ending with England looking solid but seemingly needing to re-adjust if they weren't too spend the second half defending.

I thought England looked better organised in the second half and although the statistics suggest that England's goal was peppered with shots there was little to worry the solid centre-back pairing bar watching the build up play in front of them. England had possession of their own but too often gave the ball away to put themselves under pressure again and, this really being a fairly new outfit under Hodgson, you have to wonder if the English ability to give the ball away isn't inbred somehow. There was a period just after half-time when the ball was passed backwards across the defence and into the midfield area for about twenty passes, but you could almost feel the English tension rise as little opened up before them. As inevitably as rain and a penchant for Fish 'n' Chips, the English desire won again and Lescott lofted the ball forward, saw it lost to a blue shirt and started to defend again. I actually think sometimes we're happier defending as it gives us an opportunity to be resolute and determined (although I know some are uncomfortable with my blanket assessment of national characteristics).

England complained about several poor decisions from referee Nicola Rizzoli who waved away countless appeals for what seemed clear fouls by the French and Hodgson alluded to this post-match when talking about several build-up plays that produced nothing due to the fact the whistle wasn't blown. It certainly did nothing to help England who often had to funnel back in the oppressive heat when the ball switched play.

With poor Scott Parker obviously flagging, Jordan Henderson was bought on - something which, for me anyway, only underlines the paucity of the available players following injuries - with Defoe replacing Wellbeck to little effect and Walcott entering late on. I thought the Arsenal man should have been given an opportunity earlier as it was obvious some of the French players were suffering in the heat too and Walcott's pace might have eased the nerves as England defended stoutly, seemingly happy with the draw as the game came to a close.

Manager, players and most fans seemed happy with the draw and, as it's difficult to imagine any way that England could have eased a win out of this, this can only be viewed in terms of group qualification. England will need to be more pro-active in terms of chasing a game when they come up against Sweden and Ukraine but I'm satisfied with this result and the overall performance.

The later game involving Sweden and the host nation ended with the Ukraine running out winners thanks to two goals from national hero Shevchenko after Ibrahimovic had put the Swedes ahead. It looked a good game - indeed there hasn't really been a poor match all tournament yet - but, sadly, a combination of a lot of travelling and a pint or two of John Smiths meant I dozed off and missed most of the action. Hey! At least I'm honest...!

Ukraine now top the group and England may find them a difficult proposition if they need to win in their last game, however on this showing, Hodgson's men should be looking to get something from Sweden although it all looks too close to call currently.

Euro 2012 - Day 2

"You going to be doing the whole drink and food thing again?" asked the good Lady Blagg this morning.

"I don't think so," I replied, "Euro food isn't as challenging as dishes from around the world and you've got a lot of other stuff to do - that front hedge needs trimming and I've got a ton of ironing that will take you hours..."

"Shame," she said, "I've bought you a couple of bottles of beer for this weekend's games. I saw them in the Supermarket and they instantly made me think of you"

"Well, if you've already bought them, it seems a pity to waste the money. I'll have them" I gallantly offered.

So it is that I sat watching today's games with a couple of bottles of 'Miserable Bastard' Hmmmm...

Anyway, is anyone else disconcerted by the way the Euro 2012 TV team end the showing of match replays by making the tournament logo appear out of the middle of the screen so that the ball / flower replaces the head of the player? For just a few seconds, European football's finest all look like Frank Sidebottom.

 (Left)

Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson has been speaking about the situation with regard to Rio Ferdinand and, although its difficult to argue with his basic tenant that he had, effectively, already decided not to take Ferdinand and now that others are injured he should just turn to those who he had already looked at, there is, unfortunately, a niggling sense that his comments don't exactly stack up.

His comment that he wouldn't take Rio as a back-up to sit on the bench, simply don't make sense and I hope this doesn't set a precedent for future tournaments. Taking Hodgson's comments at face value could mean we take the main team to, for example, Brazil and populate the rest of the squad with players who might make the grade later on.

If Martin Kelly had already been named as part of the squad but then left out, then I could see some cohesion in the argument but if a key member of the named squad drops out through injury then surely all the available players are there to be looked at again regardless of any percieved pecking order. Of course, none of this would matter a jot if John Terry wasn't due to answer a charge of racist behaviour towards Rio's little brother but, as it is, it seems once again another England boss has got caught up in something that goes beyond the basic football question of who is better at passing a ball and become embroiled in some political machinations that leave a sour taste in the mouth.

Hodgson must be hoping that Terry and Lescott don't get banned or injured. If he gets through the tournament without resorting to the bench then he might just see this through, if he needs to turn beyond Jagielka though things may rumble on for years.

Netherlands 0 Denmark 1 - Germany 1 Portugal 0

Twenty-eight attempts on goal, so BBC Commentator Jonathan Pearce tells me, but the Dutch had absolutely nothing to show for it and lost their opening game to a smartly taken goal from Michael Krohn-Dehli after 24 minutes. The goal came against the run of play and Van Persie - like Kerhazkov last night - was responsible for some profligate shooting. Denmark looked compact and made things difficult for the men in orange but the Netherlands created enough openings to win several matches and they may well rue this result.

Later on, Germany claimed a narrow victory over Portugal with Mario Gomes scoring the only goal in the 72nd minute just as he was about to be substituted. Up to that point the game was pretty sterile but, inevitably, once behind Portugal started to play and we had an exciting 20 minutes or so during which the Portugese had several good opportunities.

In a dull first half the only point of interest arrived just before half-time when Portugal's Pepe controlled the ball superbly and struck the underside of the crossbar with his shot. The ball bounced down on the line and for a tantalising moment we thought it would be another goal-line controversy to frustrate UEFA and the World governing body but, sadly, replays showed the ball clearly bounced on the line, not over, and the extra referee - who appeared to be static throughout the incident - was proved correct. If, indeed, he made any decision at all!

The second half was a little better but not much of note occured until Gomes' goal. The strike was an excellent header from a cross by Sami Khedira in a match that produced little else. Main point of interest for the neutral was the BBC pundits' attempts to get Harry Redknapp to comment on every observation one of them made.

Hansen: "Ronaldo gest wide on the right here...Harry?" and "A great tackle there by the German centre-back...Harry?". I fully expect the after-show Green room to be a fascinating place as each member of the BBC team tries to get Harry involved in the decision on what pub to go to and what restaurant to visit later.

"Where you going Alan?"

"I'm off to the toilet, Gary..... Harry?"

"Well, Alan - if you've gotta go then there's not much you can do...."

Euro 2012 - Day 1

Poland 1 Greece 1 - Russia 4 Czech Republic 1

Sadly, I missed the opening ceremony although I'm certain it contained plenty of papier mache heads, little girls twirling ribbons and an impressive display of street furniture throwing by the massed racists of eastern Europe. It must surely have been thrown into the shadows though by the fare available on the field, as both matches produced plenty of excitement and entertaining football.

First up was one of the host nation teams fighting out the inevitable opening game draw in some style, aided by the lunatic decisions of the Spanish referee. With a vociferous crowd under a closed roof, you could almost taste the atmosphere wherever you were watching the game and Poland responded as you'd expect putting a pedestrian Greece side under early pressure, and it was no surprise when Lewandowski put the home side ahead in the 17th minute when Chalkias flapped at an excellent cross from Blaszczykowski. Indeed the Poles could have already have been ahead from a similar move just minutes earlier. Poland wasted several other half-chances but the main talking point of the first half was, first a booking for Papastathopoulos for quite fairly heading the ball in a tussle with a Polish forward and later a second yellow and a red for an innocuous tackle on Murawski.

Quite what Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo saw is difficult to imagine but if he books and sends players off like this all the time then we can only assume that most Spanish games end up with just the two goal-keepers on the field like a gigantic version of blow football.

The feeling at half-time was that the Greeks had offered too little and, down to ten men, the game was there for the taking by Poland but, surprisingly, exactly the opposite occurred. Greece emerged fired up and took the game to the home side eventually drawing level mainly thanks to another goal-keeping error, this time by Arsenal man Szczesny who misjudged Vassilis Torosidis' right-wing cross , allowing substitute Salpigidis to hit home from just inside the penalty area.

It was no more than Greece deserved, but they could have turned the game inside out after 70 minutes when Szczesny stuck out a leg to trip Salpigidis in the penalty area after the substitute neatly avoided the off-side to find himself clean through. With the Greeks rather bizarrely celebrating the winning of a penalty, Szczesny was sent off and PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Tyton came off the bench to replace Maciej Rybus and promptly saved the Karagounis spot kick with his first touch.

The game ended 1-1 with both teams looking to win it and probably, in an odd way, both grateful for the point.

Later, Russia poured on the attacking football in a demolition of the Czech Republic that could have been much more embarrassing had Kerzhakov not been wearing someone else's boots; at least that's the only explanation I can think of for a host of chances that were sliced, mis-hit or mis-directed by the Russian forward. As it was we were treated to an excellent performance from young Alan Dzagoev, who at 21, scored two goals, apparently the second youngest player to do so since an 18-year-old Wayne Rooney did it. Dzagoev's performance underpinned by another two goals, one a superb solo effort from substitute Pavlyuchenko late in the game and the other from Sirokov after 24 minutes, a goal that followed on from Dzagoev' opener nine minutes earlier, reflected the performance of the Russian team although Pilar's 52nd minute goal to make the score 2-1 had seemed to make the match closer than it actually was for a time.

So two excellent games to open and a poser for Soccernet's fraternity. A Russian called Alan? Can someone please explain!