Two hours to go and I'm feeling a tad apprehensive about England's opening game in Euro 2004 against France.  Whatever happens we aren't going to win or lose the tournament tonight, but a hammering at the hands of the Arsenal boys would be hard to take.

On paper, the French side looks phenomenal - their team sheet reads like a fantasy international 11;  Henry, Pires, Viera - and the incomparable Zidane, surely one of the greatest players ever to strap on a pair of boots, all in the same team.  And after their dismal showing at the 2002 World Cup finals, they will feel they have something to prove - they will be right up for this one.


Personally, I'd be delighted with a draw, and we'll be lucky to get one.

UPDATE: 38 minutes in and a clinical Becks free kick meets a lethal Lampard header - it's England 1 0 France!

That's the first goal France have conceded in twelve games.  I'll be surprised if the French don't bag one before full time, but now a draw looks much more probable and victory seems possible - particularly since Henry is having a poor game.   Rooney is playing a blinder.

UPDATE 2: 64 minutes gone.  If the man in the blue number 12 shirt in the first half was an impostor, the real Thierry Henry has, unfortunately, turned up for the second half.  The French have been all over us like a fake tan - but we've defended well so far.  Rooney starting to get a bit emotional and aggressive and I won't be at all surprised if he's sent off.   At times the French are looking a little rattled themselves, memories of 2002 obviously playing on their minds.

UPDATE 3: Still England 1 0 France, but there are 6 minutes to go and if you ask me, this game is still on a knife-edge.  The French look as dangerous as the proverbial leopard with a machine gun.  At the very least, though, we've got our draw.

UPDATE 4: Or perhaps not.   Zidane scores from an inspired, exquisite free kick; a minute later they've snatched the winner from a penalty; victory from the very jaws of defeat with two goals in the dying minutes of the game.  Unbelievable.  Game over.  I feel ill.  England 1 2 France.