Midweek Memoirs of Mr Bodell

So the European Championships are getting more and more exciting as we enter the final Quarter Final this Sunday evening. Italy have sneaked through, and, much like the Germans will be fancied to go further having hit form at the 'right time`.

I`ve been suprised, but pleasantly so, to see Croatia and Portugal and Holland crash out of the Euros so far, I had those sides down to progress and the way the that they`ve gone out too is excitement in the extreme. The Dutch last night were taught a lesson by one of their favoured sons, Guus Hiddink, a man I`d love to have/or seen in the England job at some point. His tournemant record with footballing 'no-bodies` is superb.

It seems that you can never count out the Turkish, though they`ve only got 13 outfield players for the next round, they have something about them, a never-say-die attitude which has carried them from the verge of going out to the Semi`s. Their manager, Fatih Terim has also been very impressive tactically, personality-wise and evidently motivationally. It`s also good to see and Englishman, Colin Kazim-Richards there, all be it he did play for Sheffield United!

Croatia will have England again in the World Cup qualifiers if we don`t sort it out. They have played sides off the park and ground out wins, or played them off the park and comfortably one until they were amazingly beaten on penalties by Turkey. As long as England concede lots of penalties, we should scrape a point against them in the Qualifiers.


Why does our national side have no-where near as much passion for the shirt/country/national anthem as half of those at the Euros. I understand that footballing ability has to come above a good singing voice, but every single Turk, and every single Croat and every single German belt out their national anthem, it sends shivers down my neck, I want that from my side. I sang the national anthem at Wembley when watching Torquay - Ebbsfleet and it was so invigorating. I want some passion and pride back in English football!

Last thing on England, I promise; to all the 'experts` and 'pundits` saying how sad it is England aren`t there, jog on, we would be beaten by most teams there other than Sweden, Austria, Poland and Greece and even they would give us a run for our money, finally it means we don`t have to read newspaper articles about our managers ineptness nor the W.A.G culture.

Here is my tip[s], either Italy or Germany to lift the trophy. I just feel that they stuttered, hugely, in the group stages and their experience, class and overall package will shine and they will probably contest the final, if that`s possible, I haven`t actually checked my wallchart!

Personally, I want Italy to win as I backed them in a prediction tournament, so no pressure the Azzurri!

Tom Bodell