ATTACKING, fast, exciting and open.
With one or two notable exceptions the football at Euro 2008 has so far been top class.
Remind you of anything?
It should do because the way teams are going at each other is a million miles away from the cagey, tip-toeing, square-ball, Euro-ballet of yesteryear.
This is football the Premiership way, football made in England.
For Spain read Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas can only get on the bench because of the team's brilliant passing, movement, touch and youthful endeavour without him.
Portugal, led by Christiano Ronaldo are Manchester United in green, red and white, brilliant individuals, pace, desire and athleticism.
The power, poise and class of Chelsea oozes from skipper Michael Ballack through the entire German team.
Far fetched? I don't think so.
We have convinced ourselves that we have to learn from watching everyone else. We do.
We have to learn to organise, the players have to learn to believe in each other, the playing system and their coach.
All these things can be learned from our sucessful club sides as well as other national teams.
We must learn from them, not because they have better players than us but because the world has watched our Premiership with rapt attention, seen what is best in it and taken it into their own game. We've been so busy feeding a banquet to the world that we haven't bothered to organise our own lunch.
Speaking of feasts, former Sheffield Wednesday Chairman and current Premier League Chairman Dave Richards was quoted this week saying that the influx of foreigners in the Premier League has harmed the English national team.
He might well be right, but it's a complex equation.
Speaking at the Third Dubai International Sports Conference Mr Richards' argument goes against Premier League 's official stance and against Chairman Peter Scudamore's views.
Asked later whether he stood by his comments, Mr Richards claimed that what he had said was not quite what he meant. Clear as mud? Thought so.
Meanwhile England's 'Golden Generation' of players sits at home or on holiday watching telly as Premiership-style football lights up the European Championships.
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