I just watched a dismal performance by the ever insipid England football team. Needing only a draw to qualify for Euro 2008, they lurched to a 3-2 defeat at home to an impressive Croatian team. McClaren opted for a change in goal and Carson promptly threw one in with his first touch of the game. They never got going after that and conceded another soon after. Shell shocked at half time, the hard working Peter Crouch was the only player who had looked interested. Could McClaren turn it around? He wheeled out Beckham and also brought on Defoe after the break.

What happened Zizou? It wasn't in the script but that headbutt will be remembered... And sadly, to paraphrase the guy on ITV, this great tournament was in the end decided by a carnival sideshow and then we watched Gennaro Gattuso wander about in his underpants. I'm sad it's all over and I wanted les bleus to win but at least we Australians can say that we lost narrowly to the eventual winners. Plus I might be able to get something else done now the football's over.