My programme posting for today, June 7th 2021, relates to this evening's European Championships Semi-final between England and Denmark at Wembley. It's a bit of a sad day for me I'm afraid. I did have a ticket for tonight's game (and indeed last night's other Semi-Final) but, to my horror, I received one of those automated Track & Trace Isolation Notices on Sunday. It's for six days only and relates to my proximity to someone who has subsequently tested positive on Tuesday 29th June. That was the day of the England v Germany game at Wembley so I'm pretty sure that I either picked up my proximity on the train on the way to or at the match itself. I understand that the Duchess of Cambridge (who was at the match) also received an isolation notice and knowing that made me feel slightly better about it! Anyway, health wise I'm feeling okay but I have sold my tickets (for face value as I despise touts and scalpers) and I will be rooting for England on TV this evening.
It's been a little disappointing for me to have had one or two people suggesting that they would have simply ignored the notice and gone anyway. It's that kind of attitude that may well have led to me receiving my own notice. I've long criticised our so called leaders and their political aides for this same attitude of assuming that the rules relate to everybody else but not to them. At least I have my integrity and I'll have to keep reminding myself of that as I miss tonight's match. I'll also be keeping my fingers crossed for an England win tonight as I still have that Final to look forward to and Denmark v Italy wouldn't be quite the same now would it?
Tonight's game is England's fifth tournament Semi-Final since I was born and I was only three for the first one of those in 1966. Since 1966 England have lost their subsequent three Semi-Finals and so tonight's game represents the latest chance to reach a tournament Final. I am loving the way that, as was the case in Russia 2018, the cynics and know-it-all's who are so quick to tell you that England will let us down like they always do grow progressively quiet as England advance and they witness the nation getting behind the team. Don't worry those same doubters will be back just as soon as they get the chance with their told you so's! Me? I'd prefer to live with hope than such cynicism. I prefer my glass half full but it will surely be empty when we score and the beer flies into the air!
Playing everyone's second favourite team (sorry Leeds United, I don't mean you this time) tonight won't alter things. As a Spurs follower, I have a deep regard for Christian Erikssen and I admire the way his team mates have conducted themselves since his near death experience but I want the Danes to lose tonight! So come on England! This time. More than any other time. This time we'll get it right. Won't we?
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