Euro'96 Group Match

Euro 96 !! The European Championships in England !! What a occasion the whole of England excited and what a tournement it would prove to be !! David, Lorraine, Chris, Marc, Steve, Malcolm and Mathew headed to London early on the Saturday morning !! Chris was a little tired after just returning from Ogwen cottage the previous day !! The group set off, the Fletcher family in Steve's car and Malcolm and Mat together in there car. They arrived at the Novotel early to check in !! With the bags safely in the hotel the group headed to the game !! As I am writing this report 12 years after it happened I cant really remember what we did before so i'm just going to say we went in the ground. Our seats where almost front row which was obviously good foe the close up action but not so good when it was further away !!   The game began and England pressed, Gascoigne looked a world class midfielder in the centre off the park playing clever passes and doing clever flicks. England where the better side and where rewarded in the 23rd minute, Paul Ince played Alan Shearer through and he smashed a shot home to give England the lead. Wembley went wild and Shearer ran off with his trade mark celebration off the arm in the air !!   1-0 at half time and the second half was soon underway !! England created a couple of chances but towards the end Switzerland put some presure on, Turkilmaz hit the bar before converting a penalty for a hand ball from Stuart Pearce. The game ended 1-1. It was a great day out and the start off a good campaign from Engaland who would eventually go out of penalties to Germany in the semi finals !!   A couple of drinks back in the hotel on the night and then back home the next day for the group !!