Post Updated Since Original Post With Pictures From Inés

What an excellent result. A good game, especially in the second half, and a very sociable occasion yet again. In fact that is the reason that this post is a little late - I left Al-rruz to walk home about 11.30pm, called into the D-Bar for a quick drink and chat with John ……. and got home just after 3.30am having spent the last couple of hours drinking Vodka with John in the 19th Hole (more on that later).

As such when I finally made it to the Mac I was greeted by a number of comments and emails. If you are following the Euro2008 Open Thread you will have seen them already, but in case you haven’t here are some examples:

The best team won without doubt. It just shows that if my man Archavin doesn’t play well, they are pretty ordinary. He was anonymous. Spain however played really well and produced some lovely goals.

Now that they are favourites for the cup, I wonder how they will get on. Germany seems to like being the underdog for a change. If they play like they did against Turkey and the Spanish play their normal game I see a rout. Viva Espana

Jeremy

What a game. Go Spain Go! We know you can win it. Lets hope he puts Fabregas on at the start.

Tina

Spain played very well 2nd half and I’m sure you had a good time at Al-rruz. I think they should win on Sun as Germany’s defence is weak and has not really been tested and they should be able to capitalize on Lehamm’s poor judgement.

Mum

Nothing like a reminder from your Mum to get you up and working again. Both my parents love sport and will be enjoying the football, tennis and cricket that is on at the moment.

If that wasn’t enough Tina also gave me a bit of a push in the direction of the keyboard:

Hi Chris

Tina

Tina you were spot on!!!!

The evening started for Sands and I with a very pleasant walk down to the marina and we were settled at the Lucky Table by 7.45. Inés wont let me sit anywhere else, or anyone else have the table as it was designated the Lucky Table after the first match. We got down early as Sands fancied some of their excellent Tortilla Camerones and Tomatoes in olive oil with garlic. Me, I was happy enough on the beer last night with some excellent tapas as usual (slightly spicy chicken wings, ribs, boquerones, tortilla and chicken kababs as I recall). Chris, Maria, Kris and Emma arrived soon after us and then Alan and Joyce so it was game on - beer, red wine and vodka and diet coke please Inés, and keep them coming!!

The first half was somewhat subdued and that could be said about the crowd as well. The first goal eased the tension to say the least, the second goal made people relax and the third goal sealed it and the party really began …… well actually it didn’t!!! It was far more exciting after the Italy game to be honest. I thought the Spanish would be going mental at getting to the final but they just took it in their stride.

Anyway we had fun. Everywhere you turned there were people we knew, and it was a truly great atmosphere. I counted 45 people actually in the bar for the first group game, and 65+ for the Italy game. Last night there were over 80 people actually in the bar and at least another 20 out on the terrace.

As I mentioned above we walked back and Sands came straight back to be with Moreno and Saidi but I called into the D-Bar to see how it had gone for them. As I arrived Olga was leaving. She said she hated football and gave me a hug. John said that she had taken a lot of stick that evening, and that the bar had been rowdy, full, fun and hot!!!

Every now and then ‘one of those nights’ just happen and John and I ended up having a great chat about the future of Almerimar, as well as the past as John has a huge knowledge of the place. As I said we ended up in the ‘infamous’ 19th Hole, that you either know or you don’t. It is certainly one of the places of ‘character’ in Almerimar, owned by a friend of ours and run by a very friendly guy called Paco. He also DJ’s at Ascencia and makes the most amazing nativity scenes in the basement of his house. I will try and cover them at Christmas.

Anyway 3.30am soon arrived and time to stumble home and crash on the bed.

Inés Pictures

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar

Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.