THERE WENT THE SUMMER…

23-11-2007

…Or did it? Richard Nevin is bemused by the wailing and gnashing of teeth accompanying England’s exit from the European Championships.

Amongst all the “huff and puff” post mortems and embarrassing press conferences following the England’s elimination from next years European Championships, comments have been made that may indicate why we are accused of arrogance and why today was practically a public holiday in Scotland.

More than one broadcaster/pundit/phone-in contributor has mused on what we are all to do next summer after the Wembley fiasco of last night.

Among the witless and frankly insulting suggestions were for everyone to become cricket fans, watch Wimbledon or take an interest in Rugby League.

Apart from the thought of those already interested in these sports reacting in horror at the idea of “fan parks” in SW1 or WAGS in the long room at Lords, it may come as a surprise to many people that the tournament in Austria and Switzerland will still, in fact, take place even without the Football Associations travelling circus.

Without doubt the competition will be poorer without one of the alleged super powers of European football, but some things will not be missed. The boorish behaviour of sections of the England support will be notable in its absence as well as the groundless hype that follows the team, and in this respect, the elimination of England, at least outside of our country, will not be mourned.

It may be advantageous for us football fans, as well as those who run the game, to take a close interest in next year’s events to pick up a few pointers as to where we continually go wrong, rather that act as if Euro 2008 is not happening.

Calls have been made to resurrect the home internationals next summer, to give us something to watch. There IS something to watch, involving a lot of really good competitive football with something at stake rather than a jingoistic muscle flexing exercise to make us all feel good again.

Is it any wonder that we are accused of having a superiority complex when we treat a competition with disdain because we aren’t involved in it? Is this the first in a long line of lessons that we need to learn to end the continual “years of hurt”?

So next summer, do throw that party or bar-b-que, but dig out the extension lead and put the telly in the garden and enjoy the game that we all claim to love so much.

Would you welcome a return of the Home Internationals?

Or will you be watching Euro 2008 anyway?

And who will you support.