大象传媒

Vienna

I have crossed the border to Austria for the first time in this tournament. It was great to be greeted by glorious sunshine after two weeks of drizzle in Switzerland. Watching it rain in Basel (again!) for the match made the meal we had just enjoyed on the banks of the Danube all the more satisfying.

So it's on Friday night for the right to play the Germans in the last four. This should be lively - and noisy. There are huge numbers of Croatians in Vienna, but, from my experience, Turkey's fans make it a point of principle to out-shout anyone, even if they seem hopelessly outnumbered.

Geneva

Quelle surprise, the French are getting paranoid! Their top sports paper, L'Equipe, is full of conspiracy theories that the Dutch will not exactly be busting a gut to beat Romania on Tuesday and that, as a consequence, both France and Italy will be out.

Well, whose fault is that? Frankly, I think the French were fortunate that Romania took such a negative approach when they met each other in Zurich.

Nyon

I have just about squeezed the rain out of my clothes after commentating on the game in Basel on Wednesday. What a night. If it was a league game, it would certainly have been called off.

Second spot in Group A now comes down to the game between Turkey and the Czech Republic, with the winners going through. If it's a draw, it's a penalty shoot-out for a place in the last eight. I'll be there in Geneva on Sunday and I can't wait.

Geneva

I thought I'd give you an insight into a typical day for a television football commentator.

I had the fortune (?) to work on the France v Romania at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich for 大象传媒 1 - my first live game of this tournament.

I covered the Portugal v Turkey match in Geneva but that was for the highlights programme, so Monday was a big day. Here's how it unfolded:

Geneva

I was interested to read in the local Geneva newspaper this morning that Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo are joint favourites to finish Euro 2008 as top scorer.

They are fairly obvious picks having scored so many goals in the Premier League last season. It's also likely that both countries will fancy their chances of a long run in the tournament.

You probably remember that last time the Golden Boot went to , which surprised everyone, so I got to wondering who the other candidates might be this time around.

Geneva

Switzerland at last, but it's a shock to the system. Thirty-six hours ago I was in Trinidad with England - and after spending five days gently poaching in ninety degrees heat, the weather in Geneva is something of a jolt.

I've been covering major tournaments from USA '94 onwards and I can honestly say that I can barely remember a day of rain. Even Euro '96 back in beloved seemed to be bathed in sunshine. Well, not this time. Euro 2008 is going to start with a splash from the sky, or possibly a torrent; and it is cold.

I know this is supposed to be a blog about the Euros, but is it my fault that I'm having fun in the sun in Trinidad? Here we are in Port of Spain, Trinidad's low-rise capital sprawling at the foot of tree-coated mountains at the island's centre.

Low-rise except for the brand-new gleaming . Sumptuous, luxurious sofas perch next to gleaming marble pillars. Here and there lurk attentive staff so expert that they cater for one's every whim almost before you have had chance to whim it. It's the kind of hotel that leaves you feeling vibrant and young, reflecting that you are one of life's chosen few as you saunter from the silent lifts onto its plush embracing carpets.

I'm off to Trinidad today to commentate on England's friendly for 大象传媒 One this weekend. I'm not complaining, but this is a game that shouldn't be happening. England should be heading for the Euros not the Caribbean.

While Fabio Capello's boys are getting down to some , back in Europe there are 16 squads hard at work preparing for the big kick-off in Austria and Switzerland.

How on earth did we miss out?

What's your role at Euro 2008?
Commentating for Match of the Day. I've six group games to cover, all in Switzerland and featuring all eight countries based there. Once the group matches are out of the way the decision is made as to which commentators go where. Always a tense time!