Euro 2008: All You Need Is Love

A good day for football.

So often the final game is a wash-out but today we saw a fine game that was played in the right spirit. Raleigh's on sunny Telegraph Ave was packed & we got there early, which meant that the prof had time to talk footie with two Irish lads, Val & Shane. Manchester United supporters. But you can't have everything. They must be doing something right in Ireland, because when Val asked me about taking trips back to England & the prof had to say that he goes back less often now that his parents are no longer with us, Val looked sad for me & said: "Oh I'm so sorry about that." And he meant it.

When the game was over, the German supporters in front of us turned & applauded the Spanish fans. Feeling sad for them, the prof caught the eye of a young woman who was cheering for the Germans & who was almost in tears, and said: "There's always next time." She smiled.

The mood was intense, charged & edgy -- just like the game. And it was also negotiated in the right spirit.

Beer, football & good company. Yes, the whole scene was pretty decent today, at Raleigh's.

Congrats to Spain.