Albert Tatlock

Absolutely classic scene. I did do PGCE teacher training fo a year with sports as a subsidiary. They showed that as a 'how not to do it'. The kid hanging upside down from the crossbar and trying to keep his hands warm with the fat kid as the goal goes in. We also had the skanky pair of shorts that the PE teacher would provide for anyone who had forgotten their kit. We had teachers playing rugby like that - scoring tries as little kids dangled off their legs trying to tackle them.

Sounds like you had a career as a PE teacher all mapped out in front of you. Where did it all go wrong? Now to get my little popup window ready for the USA/Czechs.

Was Eric Clapton involved?

Oh yes. And when there was an odd number or low number of kids the question was always "Goalie when or goalie stuff?" Goalie when - goalie could come out and play outfield Goalie stuff - goalie had to stay in his area Why when and stuff I have no idea.

OK - bit of a one trick pony - good heart, but not so skilful for me. Just the 'of all time' tag got me thinking: Pele, Muller, Cruyff, etc etc Before your time I suppose. The first match I can remember (just) was the final with Brazil in 1970, and running around outside pretending to be players from that team. Now that was a thing of beauty. Dutch total football from the 70's.

adverts You quasi quasi wabbit!

Glad you can enjoy it properly Maybe it helps that it's not prime time with the time difference.

I wanted to ask what the deal is with TV coverage in the US. Are there cable/subscription channels that will show you 45 minutes uninterrupted, or will they try to slip in a quick advert during an injury etc.? Given the choice, I won't wach ITV because they have adverts either side of the half-time pundits analysis. I couldn't cope with being a sports fan in the US. Is that the basic reason why football will never be big bucks in the US? Err ...

Bugger, I could have been watching this on the intranet. Starting up small window on PC now! Good timing. "Australians celebrate as only Australians can! They've come from behind!"

Seems like there's a ful tour in effect: http://www.whereseric.com/tour/

This was a one-off, and if M-thomp lives near him, then it would have been just up the road. Maybe that's why the crowd were willing to pay so much.

Good thing i.e action packed/ferocious/enjoyable/memorable. Belter usually used in phrase: 'a real belter'.

On the bike, standing outside listening, but just about 20 metres and a 16th century wall away from the stage. Now, let's get this straight, I have much respect for the man's past work and musicianship, but I am neither a fan nor a hater - I'm just reporting as I found it. I was there because it was a balmy night (30 degress for last 4 days here) and it was free. He played about 2 hours. The first hour was, I have to say this, pretty much a soft blues mush. Every note in its place, but drained of any emotion - hi svoice was never the strong point of course. The backing soul singers and horn se

Intranet. Sorry! BBC may be streaming highlights I heard, but I would not be able to check as any media streaming from the internet is blocked.

Do you want updates or will you get to see highlights so I should keep quiet? I'll only be here for the first half anyway. DEcent match so far, not the usual dull affair for an opening game of the tourny.

Baab will send you a special package if you are not careful 1 - 1

That sounds right. It starts 2 pm British summer time here. German goal was a screamer. Trust them to start playing well as soon as the competition starts.

Watching TV streamed to my PC at work on the intranet. God bless the IT department (this just means that they know if they didn't everyone would be in the pub already) Germany score!

I noticed that ,but decided to stick with him anyway

I'm going for a dark horse: Ukraine. I think they may do a Croatia (was it Euro 96?) and all pull together as a team. They qualified well. An injury problem with one of the main men up front (was it Rebrov - I haven't been following that closely), and they are real outsiders, but I'll stick with them (keeps the wife onside as well of course!). Top Scorer: Another oddball: Borgetti from Mexico. I think he may just pile up a ton of goals in the group they're in.

Good stuff

You seem to have good taste in men! You really should. Generally gentle tunes but often cutting lyrics. There was an earlier best of compilation called 'Carry On Up The Charts' that I would recommend. The latest best of 'Solid Bronze' may be as good, it's just that I don't really know the last couple of albums. I'm quite surprised that they don't register on the US radar seeing as they have been around so long and had so much success (initially anyway). Maybe just too English.

I'm definitely too old for indie discos 'til dawn With that and all the drinking, the typo "Brain Jonestown Massacre" might have been a proper description. Morning campers!