Germany versus Portugal
I’ve watched most of this match now and there has been a lot of tackling, that would get yellow cards in matches in the UK, but not too many seem to have been issued.
I’d not heard of the German striker who scored, Mario Gomez before, but he seems to have sensible views on gay footballers and urges them to come out. After reading something in The Times last week, I would suggest that Ukraine is not the place. He talked about his views in the Guardian here. I hope it doesn’t have any consequences in this tournament.
We Don’t Do High Jumpers Do We?
All the years, I’ve been following athletics, we have had very few high jumpers of note, despite having some good triple and long jumpers in that time.
I suppose there is one notable exception in that Mary Peters jumped herself to gold in the pentathlon in the high jump. I remember that night in 1972 vividly, as she kept clearing height after height, cheered on by a very passionate crowd, who seemed mainly to support her, despite the fact her rivals were a West and an East German. I think at the time it was said, that quite a few squaddies from the British Army of the Rhine were present and they willed her over. A difficult job, as to put it truthfully, she wasn’t built for high-jumping.
We’ve never won gold in the men’s high jump at the Olympics, but there is always a surprise medal in something and perhaps with a bit of luck it could be Robbie Grabraz, as reported here in the Telegraph. After losing his funding, he’s now number one in the world.
Germany v Greece
If things work out right, Germany will play Greece on June 22nd in Euro 2012 in the midst of a Greek General Election.
What fun?
Getting The Wife On The Board
We all know that we need more women on the board of both public and private companies. But is Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech taking this a bit too far, by getting his wife, Ursula, on the board, as reported here on Bloomberg?
I’ve served on committees with board husband and wife on them and they are a nightmare. You spend all the meeting trying to get a concensus and wo-betide you, if the wife has been outvoted by the group including her husband. She will then spend all night changing his mind, so you have to go through the process all over again.
So do Volkswagen know what they are getting themselves into?
Surely, there must be another woman in Germany, who would do a better job than the Chairman’s wife!
Merkel Gets A Soaking
A waiter has found his fame for fifteen minutes, by pouring five glasses of beer down Angela Merkel’s back. It’s reported here in the Telegraph.
Was the waiter Greek? At least he didn’t pour it down John Prescott, who I don’t think would not have reacted as quietly as the German Chancellor.
Forget the Superbowl! The Biggest Game Tonight Will be the Battle of Rosario
Last time there was a small skirmish in the South Atlantic, we had just a few dozen marines on the Falklands and South Georgia. This time, I hope we’re better prepared militarily, with HMS Dauntless, probably a submarine, several advanced fighters and quite a few ground troops.
I suspect though that the troops won’t be watching the Superbowl, as at the same time the opening salvo in the next skirmish in the South Atlantic will be taking place in Rosario. This time, though it will be eleven brave women, armed just with sticks, taking on Argentina in the final of the Champions Trophy, after beating the other old enemy, Germany, in the semi-final, yesterday, as is reported here.
I suspect the Duke of Cambridge wishes he could take a few people to the match in his Sea King.
US’s Legacy To German Pharmacist
Obviously, it a day for German stories, this one was on the BBC.
But at least it proves there’s nothing wrong with American lard, no matter how old it is.
Hitler’s Possible Legacy for CrossRail
It is being reported that they are searching the Connaught Tunnel for any legacy of unexploded bombs from the Second World War, before they rebuild the tunnel for CrossRail.
Suppose they did miss a small one and it did a little bit of damage to one of CrossRail’s German-built TBMs.
It would be embarrassment all round!
Who’s To Blame for the Eurocrisis?
I just found this rather deep and thorough approach on the BBC.
To summarise, it says that because France and Germany cooked the books, with Gordon Brown’s help, to get round the Maastrict rules, that it is now acceptable for anybody to overspend.
I Thought Germans Obeyed Orders
This German trucker, obviously didn’t, as the signs said he shouldn’t cross the Forth Road road bridge.
The Anonymous Widower 