So finally, after 16 absorbing days filled with football intensity, there is a break in Euro2008 from the matches. Perhaps, even for the biggest fan, we need a break to try and analyse what has taken place so far in Switzerland and Austria. I may even come up with some reviews of the tournament myself. However, it's a short blog today as the break (plus the free Swiss Rail travel provided to all volunteers during the tournament) means I'm off to Geneva today and it's a long trip so must dash.

Having watched the Spain v Italy game with a number of German colleagues (from the Volunteer Centre), they now believe that Germany will win since their main rivals, Italy, have been eliminated.

Some brief news from here; L'Equipe says that Ribery supports Domenech (!!) and apparently over 500,000 litres of beer were drunk during the wild Oranje party on Saturday!

Bis Morgen

Ever since the hosts elimination from Euro 2008 the Swiss have looked to continue the celebration of football by supporting another team. Plenty have Italian or Portuguese connections and none have anything to do with Germany, of course. However, yesterday in Basel it seemed that the invasion of Dutch fans had enthused the entire city to become Dutch for the day. Shops were orange, people of all ages and nationality wore Dutch flags on their cheeks and, even, the Famous Hammering Man became orange for the day. A combination of sun, beer and a frustration did lead to 65 Dutch fans ending up in Hospital, but considering the total numbers this was very few.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Group winners  have yet again been beaten at the Quarter Final stage and so Spain (already fearng the worst against Italy) will try to reverse the trend this evening.

 L'Equipe is reporting that, quite amazingly, Raymond Domenech may get to keep his job as French coach. How this is possible for a man who so ineptly managed a talented group of players is of English FA standards.

Here is gratuitous picture of pretty Dutch girl ......

So the city of Basel awoke today to the sight & sounds of the Orange army. Certainly, last night, the Fan Camp at Pratteln was heaving with Dutch fans and bright orange everywhere, 20 minuten reporting both Fan Camps are full.. Basel has a plan for the expected army and the traditional Dutch march to the stadium will take place at 5pm today.

Working inside the stadium yesterday I witnessed that the pitch was being watered constantly to help the newly laid pitch bed in further (though it seemed fine for the Portugal v Germany game). You can see in my photos the Dutch Dressing Room door sign as well as a view from the Tunnel at St Jakob Stadium.

It seems that most neutrals (i.e. The Swiss) have taken sides with the Dutch due to both the football the team plays but the friendly invasion from the Dutch fans. However, with 2 of the 4 group stage winners already knocked out and a wily old Guus Hiddink on the opposition bench the party may fall flat!

Despite winning the game last night, celebrations in Turkey did result in a death of a Turkish fan - reported in L'Equipe.

And finally, some (old) Arsenal news reported in L'Equipe, Wenger doesn't want Kompany apparently.

During the day yesterday in Basel I came across those most odious of all human beings, ticket touts. I've seen a few during Euro2008 already but I was able to see them in operation, at close hand, yesterday. One approached an asian couple asking if they wanted tickets and tried to persuade them to part with too many Euros for, probably, a fake ticket. His mate, meanwhile, looked as if he was contacting someone to arrange to pick up said tickets. Along with these 2 guys(visible in my photos) - stay clear - I saw the "infamous" American touts who have been spoken about on and Off the Ball podcast earlier in the tournament (I think it was that podcast anyway). I hate 'em almost as much as bloody Spanish journalists (see Arseblog).

Anyway, on a cheerier note, I heard on the Guardian Euro2008 podcast, yesterday, that the Austrian fan camp in Vienna was not that good, according to their Scouse sources. So, with deep trepidation, I visited my local fan camp at Pratteln to watch the Germany v Portugal game there. This was much more your traditional fan camp with tents etc rather than the Austrian "prison camp". 100s of 2 man tents were on display as well as quite a number of Dutch fans own tents. The drinking / eating are looked good and we had some good food and local beer during the game. I think the main Dutch army arrives today!

There was a small story in the Guardian today about the potential impact of the housing market slowdown in the UK on the sale of Highbury flats. Nothing definite yet but maybe a potential worry for the future?

At a certain age you realise that the potential for injury at any form of football is ever present. This does not, however, actually stop you taking part in said activity. Yesterday, as part of the EURO2008 volunteer event, a "games" day was hosted in the Volunteer Centre, here in the St Jakob Arena. Whilst there were less strenuous activities like Pool, Table Football and Darts, there were also 3 football skill related challenges. During one of these, a slalom dribbling course, I managed to turn over on my ankle and this morning I awoke with a huge swollen ankle.

You will be pleased to know that in best British tradition I excelled at the pub games (pool and darts) whilst doing well at the football skill challenges but being beaten by the Germans!

Meanwhile back in Bern, you can see the mad orange coloured world of delirious 150,000 Dutch fans after their 4-1 victory over France. Many people now seem to think that the Dutch will be happy to let the Romanians beat them so France & Italy both get knocked out. Maybe, but I think the Dutch may prefer to play teams they've beaten 3-0/4-1 in the Semi-Final rather than a team they only got one point from in the qualification campaign. L'Equipe trys to explain how the French can qualify but no one really knows what the attitude of the Dutch will be.

The best bit is the possibility of Dutch and Swedish fans being in Basel for the quarter final... Need some evidence.... refer here for more.

You remember those Tango adverts (here's my favourite with Ray Wilkins commentating) where someone got overcome by Orange - well it was like that yesterday. I've no idea where all the Dutch fans came from but my god they were everywhere in Bern.

You can see in my photos that one or two of them were a little too over exuberant and were regretting the large amounts of drink they had consumed. However, the atmosphere in Bern was really quite special. You know it's a good day when Germans are cheering on the Dutch!

It's good to see that it's not just the English press who have a good grasp of stereotypes - here's the headline in 20minuten here in Switzerland. Anyway just about to meet up with Alex and co for the Spain - Russia game at the Basel Fanzone - not expecting it to be too busy. Though the press are trying to see which city has the best Fanzone.

Tchuss