Slightly disappointing start to the trip. There were no managers or other footy-tastic personalities on our flight from Luton to Zurich on Monday evening. I'd envisaged being sat on the plane between Kevin Keegan and Mark Hughes perhaps, clutching their platinum credit cards and eagerly discussing which French and Italian players they were planning to spend their transfer warchests upon. Mind you, they probably wouldn't be flying Easyjet. Ho hum.
On our way through Zurich Airport, a huge cheer went up from somewhere behind the rail ticket desk. It transpired that Germany had taken the lead against Austria via Michael Ballack's free-kick. No sooner had we arrived than the second co-host was bowing out of the tournament. I felt sorry for both them and Switzerland (well, for a couple of minutes at least) but Euro 2008 was now about to seriously hot up, and some eye-catching displays lay in store.
French Restoration
The first could be seen next to our hotel, situated very close to Zurich's main train station. Such a location in world cities usually means having to run the gauntlet of 'ladies of the night' and other assorted weirdos; some find this to be a fun holiday activity but I'm a more conservative traveller. Our choice of accommodation was adjacent to a particularly enterprising sex shop, whose window featured various garments on a French Restoration theme. I doubt Marie Antoinette ever wore one of those though.
France fans: At the Letzigrund
The streets down by the river were packed with merry Deutschland fans, many of whom were ogling the pole dancers gyrating wildly in what looked to be a glorified market stall. Eventually we found our friends in the Fan Zone, playing football with Stephane Chapuisat (in cardboard form). With them were two young Hungarians who became very excited when they learned I was a Plymouth supporter (our two best players are both Magyars). Such a welcome is very rare for Argyle fans, I assure you. After a late-night snack of bier and wurst (a staple diet I approve of wholeheartedly), it was time to turn in.
Crouch
The next day began with a disappearing breakfast. We admittedly arrived towards the end of regulation hours but within minutes, all food and drink items were rapidly removed much to our dismay. We did manage to grab a couple of slices of toast and with our bellies still rumbling, we set out to explore Zurich. One of the most impressive sights is a group of 11 giant player statues in a huddle at the station entrance. It's quite a team - Cech in goal, Chivu in defence, Vieira in midfield and van Persie up front. I'd have loved to have seen Crouch included, with his head poking out of the top of the station roof. Another reason to bemoan England's exclusion.
The rain was lashing down but we had a wander around the Old Town before tucking into a magnificent lunch at the Zeughauskeller. My friend Ed was served what appeared to be half a pig, and the six of us also shared one stupendously long sausage. On this evidence, Switzerland is no place for vegetarians.
Question marks
After a quick raid on the vast merchandise tent, we soaked up the atmosphere in the Fan Zone before heading to the Letzigrund for France v Italy. The stadium is primarily used for athletics so the views weren't great, but at least we were under the roof (just about) as the heavens opened again. There were serious question marks over France coach Raymond Domenech's team selection before kick-off, and it was therefore unsurprising when Eric Abidal - a full-back playing at centre-back - committed the foul which turned the game. Les Bleus never recovered from his red card and the resulting penalty, and with Franck Ribery off injured, Italy controlled the midfield with ease. Daniele De Rossi's free-kick was more than fortunate but the Azzurri ran out deserved winners and as news of Holland's win over Romania filtered through, we already began to look forward to Spain v Italy in Vienna on Sunday.
We've now said farewell to three of our group - I promised them a mention so cheers to Ashan, Ningers and Big Dogs - and have come east to Innsbruck for Sweden's clash with Russia. It promises to be a tense affair, and hopefully more dramatic than the game in Zurich. Here's hoping...
Comments (1)
Jammy Karapetyan (Yeovil Town fan) says...
Russia's back.Ican proudly announce that.We're back knocking on the door,if it's not open, we'll break in.Enough of funny superpowers around.Russia is back.We went gold at hockey world cup,domination at eurovision,Zenit and all that,it's Russia's time.Fear us,u sorry shmucks.
Posted 00:17 19th June 2008