Internationals / Mike Norman / 18 June 2009 / 1

Victory over Spain will secure a place in the last four of the U21 European Championship for England, and best of all, Mike Norman has a new TV to watch it on. Our doting romantic explains all.

It's going to be a very special day today. It's my fiancé's birthday you see, and I've arranged a surprise party for her straight after work. She will be limo-driven to the pub, where she will be greeted by all her friends and family and a celebration will pursue, complete with a delicious hot buffet and a live band for entertainment.

I can't wait to be honest, because after taking delivery of my new 52in HD Digital LCD TV yesterday, it means I've got the house to myself to watch all this incredible live sport.

Royal Ascot, US Open golf, Twenty20 cricket, lager in the fridge, and most of all, a double helping of U21 European football. What more could a man want... apart from the fiancé to bring home some freshly poached salmon and a packet of pork scratchings that is?

News from the England camp ahead of their clash with Spain is encouraging. Morale couldn't be higher and, from what I've heard and read about, all the players are singing from the same hymn sheet in terms of what they are capable of achieving. All bar Micah Richards participated in training yesterday meaning centre back Nedum Onouha should be fit to start, whilst James Milner has also recovered from a slight knock and will win (what seems like) his trillionth cap at under-21 level... this despite being about 35-years-old!

Amusingly, Adam Johnson by all accounts has got a 'tight hip'. What the hell does that mean? Just don't ask it to lend you a tenner and it won't have to refuse you will it?

Our man Tobias Gourlay (who hasn't taken delivery of a new 52in HD Digital LCD TV may I add) has previewed the match in more depth for you, in which Spain are available to back at [2.58] for victory, England at [3.1], and The Draw available at [3.35]. Click here to read Gourlay's thoughts and recommended best bet.

The other match in Group B today (Germany v Finland) promises to be an absolute classic... and I'm talking about which paint dries faster, Dulux or Crown, proportions here.

The Germans will be disciplined, patient, thoroughly professional, and ultimately boring. Coach Horst Hrubesch is adamant that he has a team capable of lifting the trophy, but I'm not so sure, they seem to lack a cutting edge for my liking. On the other hand I'm hoping Finland didn't put all their eggs into one basket for that huge effort against England the other day. If they didn't, I can see them getting something from this game.

Germany can be backed at [1.32] for victory tonight, Finland at [14.0] and The Draw at [5.8], and once again our man Tobias has taken a look at this game in more depth.

With so much live sport on today my only advice is to not get caught up in the excitement of it all and make mistakes from a punting point of view. I've only had two bets so far - Angel Cabrera to score the first goal in the footy and Younus Khan to win the 2.30 at Royal Ascot. Wish me luck!

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1. Ste | 18 June 2009

   Very funny stuff

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