Spain 2 England 0. The result was fair I think, but in saying that Spain's goals came through bad mistakes and England did have chances. You could tell though that Spain played with the confidence of a team that has just won a major championship. The passing and possession was brilliant at times. I think the introduction of Beckham helped England a little bit, through his passing and vision but also his stature. Other player's seemed to raise their game with him on the pitch.
On the whole though it did look like one team was really comfortable on the ball and the other not so. Taking in to account the fact that the average weekly wage of an England player is about 70,000 pounds you would think that our player's would be better than theirs. But they are not. Other European nations seem to have progressed so well in recent year's that they sometimes make us look inferior. Our 'up and at em' spirit is not always enough, in the football academies all over England the emphasis is now on being comfortable on the ball anywhere on the field. It may take several years but it will be worth it in the end.
Wow, that was a bit serious eh!!

Away from football and I must mention my Dad, Martin, whose birthday is was last week. Belated blog greetings. Martin Hargreaves Motorcycles ceased trading for 48 hours as my folks went to York for a quick break which as Dad put it was 'Reasonable son'. I think by 2020 you will be able to start winding down and 'Pottering' Dad, but until then there are around a hundred M.O.T books to get through, three hundred tyre changes, fifty engine re-builds and around 10,000 cups of tea!!.
Happy Birthday to a great man and a top Dad.


CH