It seems that the recent victory has done more than unite the people watching it in Al-rruz and the rest of Almerimar.

I just read a interesting article that made some great observations:

On and off the pitch, this was a celebration of youth. But two venerable Spanish gentlemen gate-crashed the fiesta.

In the stands, a fist-pumping King Juan Carlos led the travelling support, and later took his turn at clutching the cup in the victors’ dressing room.

YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!YES!!!!!

What an excellent evening!!! Before I try and tell you all about it let me say two things:

1. THANK YOU Al-rruz for a truly excellent tournament, you did a great job and deserve all the praise (and new business) that I am sure you will get, and
2. I have no idea what time I got home, but it was (very) late, or should I say early!!!!

I was down in the marina earlier today after playing tennis and I have to say that the atmosphere and discussion was very much focussed on tonight’s match, specifically:

Updated - We popped in today (Saturday) to say happy birthday to Inés and she allowed us to reserve a couple of places at the bar for some friends, so you may want to call in and have a drink and do the same?

I am sure you know the drill by now! Turn up, wear your t-shirt, drink a lot, eat GREAT tapas, have a great evening!!! See you there.

Thanks to Inés for sending through some pictures from the Spain v Italy evening

Tonight we will be in Al-rruz watching the Spain match ‘as usual’ and from around 8.30pm I will be shooting some video clips from time to time that will be broadcast live on the feed below.

Oh and as a surprise ……… I have brought the Mac down with me so we can live blog. Check out the images and updates below the video.

Please note the video was a live feed, it has been updated since the game. You can see the clips shot during the game here

Follow This Via The Comments This is an open thread and will be updated throughout the tournament. Probably because England aren’t in Euro2008 I am enjoying the competition more than I thought I would and have been watching more games than I thought I would. Highlight so far for me has to be the terrible defending by Poland in both games (sorry Mac), which has contributed to some very entertaining games and CONGRATULATIONS to Referee Howard Web last night for giving a penalty for shirt pulling in the box. Long over due and hopefully others will now follow. He deserves to be given the final to referee for that alone!!! The Spanish game was good - although the excess of beer may have contributed to that impression, but a hat trick is always exciting and it was good to see them get off to such a strong start. France and Italy are taking on England’s usual position of making their fans sweat the early results, not unlike England they are a) at Euro2008 and b) will no doubt get through their groups. And (sorry to Roberto on this one) the Croatia result against Germany was amazing, and went some way to dulling the pain from their role in England not qualifying!!! As and when I watch more games, have other comments to make I will update this ‘open thread’.

As you can see this match is a bit of a ‘vendetta’ after the World Cup in 2006!!!

It is a little fuzzy the image BUT if Spain win then Al-rruz are offering free champagne to everyone!!