The chances are that unless you own a pub, manufacture big screens or make those little annoying flags,
you have enjoyed Euro 2008 as much as me.
Sure, the lack of British interest was painful at the time, but now it seems like a blessing in disguise. It's allowed
us to quietly observe the games, improve our international football knowledge and develop relations towards other countries.
In short, to become a lot more European.
What is there not to love about debating the merits of Greece's defensive approach, discussing whether Slaven Bilic is
right to pick Ivica Olic ahead of Ivan Klasnic and watching Luca Toni flail about upfront with finishing as weak
and ill-practiced as his moustache?
UEFA of course, spotting that the tournament has been an overriding success, are planning to change it.
Michel Platini and co, after yet another large buffet lunch, are seriously looking into the possibility of extending the
championships from 16 to 24 teams by 2016, probably killing off Scotland and Wales' plan to joint host.
The current format of the European Championships is about as perfect as you can get. The 16 best teams in Europe just
going for it. Right from the off its Holland v Italy, Spain v Russia, Holland v France. Bang bang bang.
And the role of Switzerland and Austria as joint hosts, criticised by many, has been a success. Sure they are not the
best footballing teams, but their matches in front of home crowds were compelling and showed just what proud nations they are.
Instead of taking this on board, UEFA have consulted their 'football family' (i.e. people who can give them money) and will
probably decide to let in the likes of Finland, Georgia and even my own Wales in eight years time.
I've got nothing against those countries obviously, but surely their presence will lead to more defensively minded approaches
during games? The thought of John Toshack sending out four of Wales' best League One cloggers to kick Cristiano Ronaldo up and
down the Swiss Alps, while admittedly bringing a smile to the face, would be detrimental to a tournament where we want to see
the best going head to head.
The last thing the Euros need is to resemble the World Cup, which only becomes interesting when the wheat has been separated
from the chaff in the knockout stages.
So please UEFA, don't take a leaf out of Oliver's book and ask for more.
We fans want to see more of the Artful Dodger-like talents of Andrei Arshavin, witness touchline Fagins like Karel Bruckner
and Fatih Terim going to head to head and laugh hysterically as a load of French Nancys fall apart at the seams.
Right from the start.
Columnist: Mark Jones, 2008-06-26.
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