Grudge grudge, wink wink

There's still apparently a football tournament going on. Somewhere in Europe I think. Oh yeah, Germany.

Let's face it, since England got knocked out, who gives a toss? It's now not a question of who you want to win, more of the team you'd like to win that you least hate.

Celia & I were supporting the Germans. "Ah, but what about the war? You can't do that" I hear some of you exclaim. Well, that's the past and nothing to do with new Germany, just as the new German side under Klinnsman is nothing like the German sides of old (Rudi Voller's comedy 'tasche haunts me to this day). Celia has family in Germany (Guten tag, Nici!) and I was following them because out of all the sides that have taken part, I think they're probably the ones that have been the most consistent and played within the true spirit of the tournament.

AND they've got a player called Bastian Schweinsteiger, who sounds like a character out of a German 70's sitcom, where every week at the end of the episode he'd get into some godawful predicament with his trousers down, with another character shaking his fist at him shouting "Schweinsteiger!!!" before fading to the credits with a theme tune that is a cross between "Van Der Valk" & "Man About The House".

Ahem.

So often it is the case that the host nation plays well as the pressure is off them to an extent - look at England in Euro 96 for a prime example of this, and what a joy that was, even if the Germans beat us (again!).

So it was a bit of a downer that Italy sneaked a victory against the Germans the other night. If it had gone to penalties, it was a dead cert the Italians would be the ones crying. Realistically, though, the Italians deserved to win that one, and I hope that they beat France in the final, as:

a) we hate the French (must be true -"The Sun" says so), and
b) it would mean that most Italian restaurants up and down the country can replace that tatty picture of the 1982 World Cup winning squad.

It was pleasing that Germany won the meaningless 3rd place play-off final against Big Phil's Portugeuse side. Which brings me to Cristiano Ronaldo. What a
c***. Strong words I know, but hey, I'm a Manchester United fan, and frankly, contrary to the song, he's never been as good as Beckham & he's not welcome back at OT. Yes I know he's a great player but that wink has done it for me. He knew what he was doing when he waded in to nag the referee (after all, that part and parcel for a United player) and yes, Rooney deserved a sending off but slimeball Ronaldo shouldn't have been involved - his little wink to the dug out to say "job done" goes totally against every thing I love about the game. It's nothing to do with England getting knocked out, we were crap and didn't deserve to be there. The boy has so much talent, but his predilection for diving and cheating, whilst the norm for Portuguese teams, has no place in a United team. It was gratifying to see that the football fans really appreciated his talent during the rest of the tournament by booing his every touch of the ball.

United fans defended Beckham to the hilt following France 98 when everybody was gunning for him - yes he was petulant and he got sent off but there was nothing in his behaviour which could make you call him a cheat. We'll do the same for Rooney next season - he's a genius but he's got that red mist he can't control yet, but only because he loves the game and wants to play, and those who stop him get a kicking.

However, Ronaldo can cock off to Real Madrid as far as I'm concerned. He seems to be burning his bridges with the club anyway, saying he's had no support from the management. Fine, put your own spin on it, son. We've only nurtured you through some difficult times for you, and so this is how the fans who've tolerated your wingeing and crappy stepovers in lieu of actual goals are repaid is it? If you stay don't be surprised to get a frosty reception, son.