Fire in the belly (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fire in the belly

2:54pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

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I had my first vindaloo last night and it was an admirable performance.

There were no tears, just a runny nose. A side dish of coriander and sips from an ice cold pint of Kingfisher helped dowse the fire in my mouth.

Watching Holland's champagne football against the French had a similarly refreshing effect. I didn't expect quite the same level of intensity in their performance as they mustered to put Italy to the sword last week.

Yet Marco Van Basten's men started this one as if it was a continuation of that very game. Part Two of a gripping attacking assault.

France were pillaged in some breathless attacks instigated more times than not by the skilled conductors Rafael Van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder.

At 1-0 the game was far from over at half time and Van Basten deserves credit for withdrawing defensive anchor Engelaar for the attacking poise of the fleet-footed Arjen Robben.

It was a true statement of intent and belief and with flying Dutchman Robin Van Persie then entering the fray, these tactical changes proved as brilliant as they were bold.

The highlight of the weekend's action was of course Turkey's three-goal comeback against Czech Republic. When the equaliser came from a Petr Cech blunder (no sympathy as a Liverpool fan).

My howls of laughter brought shushes from the girlfriend and the cat fled for cover as my excitement spilled over with the third goal.

The shouts and exclamations of "brilliant" probably didn't go down too well with the neighbours just before 10pm on a Sunday evening and for that I can only apologise.

I could scribble a lot more about how fantastic a finale that was but I've got to enthuse more about Holland. They showed so many qualities that Greece didn't when they scrounged their way to victory four years ago and have cemented their place as the neutral's favourites.

Having put the two World Cup finalists to shame, I can only imagine that their sense of accomplishment matches mine for getting through that vindaloo.