Euro 2004: a footy fan’s diary
Along with numerous other London Owls – and many thousands of other footy fans – I made the trip to Portugal in June 2004 to watch an excess of international football. I started writing this diary to email to my friends back home, largely to make them jealous. Somewhat miraculously, I managed to update it every night. Follow the links below to read the highlights of my fortnight in the sun, and there are links to photos at the end of the text.

I’m just sad I didn’t stay for the third week...

Saturday, 12 June – A shock result for starters
Sunday, 13 June – Just like watching Wednesday
Monday, 14 June – Where are the Italians?
Tuesday, 15 June – The world’s gone orange
Wednesday, 16 June – Red shirts and yellow cards
Thursday, 17 June – A win, at last!
Friday, 18 June – An architectural masterpiece
Saturday, 19 June – Deja vu for the Dutch
Sunday, 20 June – It’s a funny old game, Brian...
Monday, 21 June – Can we play some chess on you?
Tuesday 22 June – Wot, no match?
Wednesday, 23 June – Deutschland, Deutschland, auf Wiedersehen!
Thursday, 24 June – I hate penalties
Friday, 25 June – Another one bites the dust