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Far be it from me to gloat or resort to that most detestable form of self flattery " I told you so" but you have got to admit I called it right for the first two semi finals of Euro 2000. Which is more than the RTE analysis team can say.

Tipping Portugal to beat Germany and indeed writing off the Germans as being ordinary and lacking in imagination while raving about the Croatians and fancying them to beat Turkey was proved, well.., wrong, in a word. Only the venerable Liam Brady prudently remarked that the Germans generally improve as tournaments progress and was not totally taken in by the aberration that was Croatias defeat of an overconfident Germany in their second game.

As for Turkey's sensational last minute demolition of a valiant Croatia, surely they had given notice in their previous games that they can fight to the bitter end, even when they are being decimated like an outnumbered army in battle by injury and yellow cards. One can only wonder where they will find a team to face Germany in the semi final.

I am prepared to really go out on a limb here and declare Euro 2008 as the best tournament we have had the pleasure of enjoying, ever! Truly top class. What do you think? Am I wrong? For the second two quarter finals I'm going for Netherlands to take Russia, and Italy to send Spain home. Of course I could be wrong, but that's part of the excitement.
Oh and by the way, the price of the barrel of oil rose again today to $135. and the weather forecast for the weekend is dismal. At least we've got more football to distract and delight us.