Germany v Spain Final

Spain brushed past Russia this evening to set-up a European Championship final tie against Germany. Inspired by substitute Cesc Fabregas, their quick-passing and fast moving football was too much for the Russians who didn't look capable of coming back from Xavi's opener and gave up the ghost when Guiza scored the second. Silva got a third and Spain could easily have had a fourth. Surely Fabregas will start against Germany?

Sunday's final will be a clash of styles as well as cultures. Spain will start as favourites based upon the quality of the football they have been playing and the goal threat they carry. Having been critical of the home nations chances, had any of us qualified, it's interesting to see Germany make the final because their current squad and playing style is probably the closest to the England squad of all the teams who made it. For the good of the game it would be nice to see Spain win a thriller and lift the cup.

Back home, it was disappointing to see Wes Hoolihan sign for Norwich City today for what look like a paltry fee - £250,000 and "a goalkeeper." I think we have missed a trick here but our desperate need is for two quality central midfielders and the club are determined to reduce the size of the squad.

Tickets for the friendly at Brighton on 26th July go on sale on Monday and we have been allocated 900. I might be reading too much on the internet but I suspect these might sell quickly and that we may well have a good number of fans without tickets making the journey for a day out in the hope of getting a ticket down there with the Brighton fans.