SIR GUESTLING THORN

I have said many times that I never understood the fuss about Diana but with all the great sculptures we have this country that is the best you can do to represent her! That statue is horrendous. Revealed it, if I’d have been William or Harry I’d have taken a sledgehammer to it!

So England play Ukraine in the quarterfinals, I can see them winning that and the semi but if they meet Italy in the final I think they will be tough to beat. Apparently we are now favourites which seems a little insulting to Spain and Italy or the other teams left. Does it matter who we play in the semi’s not a jot. Of course we should not get ahead of ourselves we’ve tripped up before.

Have you noticed the longevity of some sports men and women, who now seem to be able to go on well after what used to be retirement from their chosen discipline. Federer, Williams sisters, Ronaldo and Messi who at 34 is expected to get offered a two contract to stay at Barcelona. There are many others who play on, it’s not a new thing but modern training and diet has prolonged careers that in the past might have finished. Credit must be given to these athletes for their dedication and ability to keep themselves in top condition. Creaks are beginning to show and they are not the players they once were but their level is still at the highest. I fear Andy Murray may not be able to continue or maybe he just needs more matches but if he cannot compete at the highest level for a champion like him is there any point in playing?  You have to accept the inevitable and bow out as gracefully as you can. We seen many examples of sports people who have tried to go on too long and not been able to reach the standard they were once at. I speak as one who has never excelled at any sport, the best I ever have been at anything is average or just below. In my head I know I have the skill to be better but was never dedicated or that bothered to try! I used to kick a ball or hit it with a bat or racket for hours outside my parents house against a wall. I had my own version of cricket throwing the a tennis ball against the wall and then quickly get in position with the bat. The fence was a boundary, no sixes of course because you’d lose the ball, I used to score loads of runs! I was not a bad footballer played at a reasonable level but miles and miles away from even a decent amateur level. That was 40 plus years ago and things were very different. 

I hope England win the Euros it would be nice to win a tournament once more it’s been a very long time.

Stay well