The Holiday Song

I'm an ADO Den Haag season ticket holder (as mentioned a few pages back) and this is pretty much spot on. Came up last summer he fancied playing abroad at some point. I actually didn't realise he was only 28. I thought he struggled in the second half last season after not quite getting fit from an injury, but a lot of the fans indeed thought he was pushed aside so the manager could change his formation about 2/3rds into the season. He never played as an out and out striker last year I can recall.

Did them last year. Loved it. But indeed, mainly because of the pintxos culture! Probably don't have much advice you wouldn't get elsewhere unfortunately. Guggenhiem was good, I also enjoyed the maritime museum in Bilboa (but I'm quite interested in sea related things). Bilboa stadium is pretty central if there's a game on? San Sebastian - I can't think of anything we did other than drinking and eating! We did go a walk up the hill at the back of the cathedral in the old town. It was nice and not particularly strenuous. We stumbled across a hillside bar really enjoyed. Having just looked I think it was Urgulleko Polboriña.

Always enjoy football fans trying to rationalise stuff (I do the same)! Tbh, that probably could work with Van der Sande. Technically fine and had some decent finishes last season. Re: the gingerness... he plays internationally for Caribbean nation Bonaire. After international breaks was more worried he was going to be unavailable after severe sunburn than any physical knock.

I'm a Den Haag season ticket holder. Would have been fine with Van der Sande staying this season but not too down if he goes. Started well last season as an attacking midfielder in an experienced front three. Seemed to pick up a niggling injury around new year and never really got back into it. Wouldn't say he was a target man (although Den Haag had an actual proper big guy playing that role last year so they maybe moved him away from preferred position). When he came back he was also really slow I'm sorry to say! But seemed a decent guy who did give a f**k.

Problem with that 08-12 Spanish team was they were almost too good! Kept the ball but also defensively great, meaning their games weren't that exciting (imo, can see why other folk disagree). This year's team felt a bit more direct but also more open, the semi final France got through down the wings quite a lot for example. One of my favourite teams to watch in a long time.

This is the bloody Dutch for you in general. Stubborn as f**k and not as good at stuff as they think they are. Hoping I'm jinxing it, but Koeman is a total fraud.

Thought it was going to be a classic after 25 minutes. Fell away a bit but still a good watch. I may be misremembering things, but the way this Spanish team plays compared to the 08-12 team reminds me why was never a massive fan of them. This team more direct, get the ball forward quick. They also seem more open (France got down the wings a lot in the second half it felt) which makes the games more exciting, but does give me a bit of fear for the final!

Not directed at anyone here, but always think Greece get a bit hard done by for 2004. They weren't swashbuckling obviously, but they beat good teams in the knockouts without needing penalties. They beat Portugal twice, and indeed only got through their group because they scored more goals than Spain.

Second this. I live in NL and Utrecht is my favourite city. Someone mentioned Antwerp in Belgium which is decent IMO, but my favourite place around there is Leuven, I don't think it's very tourist driven. Bilboa is favourite place ever been I think. The pincho food culture there is incredible. It is a little touristy, but not so much as San Sebastian near it (although it was fine as well).

Dunno if it's been mentioned already, but FC Koln's song (i.e. their You'll Never Walk Alone) is an ode to the club in German to the tune of... Loch Lomond. Got relegated last season, but went last time they were in the second tier, and was a great experience.

Notice Austria and Holland would play again in the quarters if they both win. Guess that must always be a possibility with 16/24 qualifying, but still surprised to see it.

Getting waaaay ahead of myself here, but was trying to figure out where we'd play if we do finish third and get through. If Group B third don't make it (and reckon it's a decent chance that will be the case unless Croatia can beat Italy), then think we'd be definitely be in Frankfurt on Monday the 1st, versus winners of group F.

Feel this is a bit harsh. Have no idea what was going through their head, probably stressed to hell, had maybe thought you were going to order in English so had switched to that in their brain. And I've no doubt your German is better than mine, but I ordered 2 pils in the language at the weekend and the old barman in the bar was confused too.

Weather forecasts have been hit and miss. They didn’t open the Dortmund fan park until the middle game on Saturday due to forecast, and was bright sunshine during the afternoon! Anyway, hope you have a fine day. Football museum is right next to main train station. They also have a green carpet to follow to get to the ground and/or big fan park next to stadium. Sounded a strange idea when read about it, but worked really well!

ah yeah. it's only for international trains that reservations are required.