No England in Euro2008

Last night I came home a bit early after having some drinks with my mates to watch England play Croatia. England needed a point to qualify, while Croatia is already qualified. England is playing at home, in front of 80,000 people in Wembley. It's basically a sudden death match, the biggest game there is before Euro2008.

Before the game I already said that England shouldn't qualify. They always boast that they have the best team in the world, that with the players they have they can win anything but the fact is that they have only won 1 cup and that was 40 years ago. Their so-called "golden generation" have achieved fuck all, and still they think they have a divine right to be in every championship just because they are England.

When I switched my telly on I couldn't believe it when I saw the scoreline: 0-2 for Croatia. Then I saw the replay of the goals. First goal was the goalie's fault. Steve McClaren chose inexperienced Scott Carson over Paul Robinson and that goal was the price he had to pay. The second goal was just a defensive blunder. Two Croatian, 6 English players and still noboy picked up Olic's run. Micah Richards just put his hand up instead of chasing Olic and Carson couldn't do anything anymore.

England managed to get level (nice goal from Crouch) but then again they sat back. Rule #1 in football: if you have the ball you're opponents cannot score a goal. Those overpaid primadonnas obviously forgot rule #1 and chose to give the ball to the Croatians instead. No wonder Croatia scored another goal.

So England is not coming to Switzerland and Austria and Steve McClaren has been fired. Hopefully the English FA looks into the root of the matter and England can have a great team again. Otherwise it will be a waste of the talents like Rooney and Hargreaves.

As for me, I'm happy to know that next summer there won't be loud and noisy Englishmen all over the place...

Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre

I just got Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre. Before I say anything else, here's a disclaimer: I'm a big Duran Duran fan.

Anyway, on the cover there is a sticker saying "Featuring Falling Down, produced by Justin Timberlake, co-written by Duran Duran & Justin Timberlake". This is the Justin Timberlake who was born when Duran Duran was on top of the world. Funny old world eh?

I'm listening to it right now and it sounds very Timbaland-ish. No surprise as Timbaland produced a couple of songs. And Duran Duran are always best when working with the current hottest producers as they did with Nile Rodgers back in the 80s. I just feel that the actual music is diminishing a bit and it's all synthesizers and programming. Sure, back in the 80s they were heavy on synths as well but I can still remember some great John Taylor basslines and some Andy Taylor guitar riffs.

At least it's not as bad as their previous albums (Astronaut, Pop Trash, Medazzaland), although it's nowhere near their top work. But hey, once a Duran Duran fan always a Duran Duran fan.

Holidays

I got back last Sunday from my holidays with my girlfriend on (what was supposed to be) a sunny island.

A quick recap. Flew 12 hours to get there. Had a nice meal by the river. Looked at the King's Palace and the other temple with Buddha on the beach. Did some shopping. Then flew 1 hour south to a nice island. Again, had a nice meal. Walked by the beach at night. Popped the question. Got engaged. Did some diving. Drank some beer. Played my PSP. Did more shopping. Found Chuck Klosterman. More nice meals. Drove around in a battered Suzuki Jeep. Spend 6 hours at the airport. Then flew back home.

A very memorable holiday. For all the right reasons.