They said it'd be a disaster. No-one would watch it, apparently. People would rather watch Eastenders or Emmerdale than show any
interest in a tournament England didn't qualify for. So, to try and promote interest in the tournament, the TV companies threw huge
emphasis on the Premier League's involvement - everything was Torres, Ballack, Fabregas. Newspapers had 'Premier Watch',
focussing exclusively on how 'our boys' were getting on. One report contained the line 'Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa had to be
content as a non-playing substitute'. The English element were too insular to be able to appreciate a tournament objectively,
or so it was thought.
The quality of football on display, coupled with moments of Scorsese-esque drama led to Euro 2008 being hailed as one of the great
tournaments of modern times, epic twists all over the shop, a triumph for attacking football culminating with the team that deserved
it most coming out as Champions.
It is a controversial point to make, but my belief is that the tournament was tremendously benefited by the absence of England.
We were free from the media machine churning out daily stories of how the players' 'belief' was going to drag them through,
free from scintillating tales of Frank Lampard's wife going shoe-shopping, free from the inevitable disappointment that would have
come over everyone when England went out. Objective appreciation took the place of introverted patriotism, and the tournament
was better for it.
It is becoming harder and harder to support England when they play. I know I should, but I somehow can't bring myself to root for
team England and their gang of chav players, hunting down their next payrises like slathering wolves. This sheen of petulance
and arrogance is poisoning the minds of those who formerly would have lent support to their national team in: club loyalties
are overtaking nationalism. How could Liverpool fans cheer for Gary Neville, Everton fans for Wayne Rooney, Arsenal fans
for Ashley Cole?
This is an ill feeling that has been growing slowly since that supposed peak of modern football, Euro 96. Growing disillusion with
the team's often limp performances was seasoned with tales of arrogance off the pitch, and obscene wealth not being enough for
some of the players, who felt 55,000 pounds a week an insult whilst their team's supporters were struggling to find the money
to watch them play every week.
Euro 2008 was so much better for being free of England. I suspect I may not be the only one crossing his fingers for a similar
absence at South Africa in 2010.
Columnist: Andrew Holland, 2008-07-03.
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Bring Back McClaren for 2010 ! (Euro 2008) 