Watto's Euro 2004 Diary |
Paul Watson finally arrives in Portugal, a day late and a fistful of dollars short... |
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Day 9: Friday 18 June 2004 |
Smooth passage to the airport. I check in, then see the first half of the game in the bar. Rooney scores. We give away another free kick on the edge of the box, Yakin misses. We can't do that against good teams. Flight is called. On the plane goals are announced. Air hostesses treat us like school children. Usual message about a terrorist on board. Someone trying to kill us all by smoking in the toilet, offence merits 50 years in prison or a ticking off. Off the plane, I see a Burberry bag at baggage claim. Maybe someone else sees it. Our coach transfer is delayed because someone has lost their luggage. Burberry bag perhaps ? Long journey to middle of nowhere. Gobby Leeds fan provides the entertainment: Portugal is the same as Spain. Matteo has signed for Everton. We arrive in Alvor. No-one is there. It is dead. Tower blocks and a few plastic chairs in a field. Any sign of trouble? No chance of finding any Swedes then; they could have given me a lift. Guy at bar says France v Croatia was 2-2, and it takes 6-7 hours to Porto.... Paul Watson |