- 8 Jun 08, 01:40 PM
Vienna/Klagenfurt
As we approach the end of our first week in Austria, I finally have a few minutes to reflect on our experiences to far.
Actually, I have more than a few minutes, seeing as it's a four-hour journey south-west from our base in Vienna to our home for the next week near Klagenfurt.
I'm sitting in the middle row of the van with our fixer/driver/sound man Markus, who's skilfully negotiating the autobahn, producer Séan alongside him, while cameraman Jon and editing genius Nick are in the back with me. Are we nearly there yet? Far from it...
It's fair to say that the trip didn't get off to the most promising start for me personally, as a particularly sickly vanilla latté left me feeling more than a little queezy on the plane. (I won't go into details, suffice to say I wasn't very well...)
On departure from Heathrow, we were discussing how impressed we were with our first experience of the new Terminal 5 and wondering what all the fuss about, but after waiting by the luggage carousel in Vienna for over an hour, all became clear.
It turned out that out that our suitcases were enjoying Terminal 5's brand new facilities so much that they wanted to stay behind a little longer. Twenty-four smelly hours later we enjoyed an emotional reunion with our clothes. The joy on cameraman Jon's face when he saw his Speedos again was truly heart-warming.
Clad in crisp, fresh clothing we were ready to get down to business, and for the next few days we were on Croatia duty.
The squad is based in the spa village of Bad Tatzmannsdorf in the east of the country near the Hungarian border and only a couple of hours' drive from Croatia. The players probably feel quite at home there. The Croatian community in the area has its origins in the Turkish invasion a few hundred years ago.
Having watched several hours of training in the pouring rain and sat through two press conferences (the first of which was badly organised - no translator, for example), our main aim was to secure a one-to-one interview with team boss Slaven Bilic, formerly of West Ham and Everton fame.
After the first press conference, our request was turned down (not by Bilic, who was happy to talk to us, but by Davor the press officer who understandably feared being lynched by the Croatian media who had also been denied individual interviews).
After the second press conference, our luck was in. As his driver tried to close the car door, Bilic put his arm in the way and shouted to Davor. My Croatian's not so hot but it appeared that Bilic was signalling his intent to make the interview happen. Poor Davor. He really wanted to refuse our request and enjoy a quiet life, but instead sighed heavily and agreed to "two minutes".
As I sat down to talk with the engaging Mr Bilic, producer Séan felt the wrath of the exasperated Davor, who spluttered: "I can see the headline in Croatia tomorrow - Bilic says '**** Croatia, I only do BBC!'." Not Davor's fault that Bilic was willing to speak.
Bilic went on to offer an intelligent insight into his thoughts approaching the start of the tournament. The man who masterminded Croatia's qualification success and England's ultimate failure is quite a character. He speaks four languages and is a qualified lawyer - perfectly standard football manager so far, you may think, but read on - and also wrote the national team's Euro 2008 song. Not only that, he also played guitar on it with his rock band Rawbau!
Bearing in mind he's partly responsible for the fact that England aren't here, I may have been within my rights to harbour negative thoughts about this chap, but they soon disappeared after a few minutes in his company.
Even though Bilic has signed a new two-year deal to remain in charge of Croatia, should he continue his success here in Austria, it would surely not be long before an offer is put to him by a Premier League chairman. And if the reports are true that Bilic earns only a relatively paltry £80,000 a year (double his previous salary), that offer may prove irresistible. Davor and his countrymen may not thank me for saying so, but what a colourful and welcome addition to English football Bilic would be.
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Would Bilic fancy tthe Blackburan job...? eIt'd be great to see him in the Prem (not enough English managers... blah blah, never mind)
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Jacqui: I wanted to congratulate you on your article about Euro 2008. Since the Beeb does not transmit to Florida, I am listening to the Euro 2008 on my laptop. Yesterday's game between Portugal and Turkey was great since the 2 to 0 victory was unexpected. The Czech Republic defeating Switzerland in Basel was great as well. Portugal may win the Group A Division if it defeats the Czech Republic and Switzerland [which is a big possibility]. Cheers from Florida.
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Very good article. It's nice to see a positive piece of journalism for once. I'm very selective about which articles I read (I try to avoid negativity) and have never read any of your articles before Jacqui (sorry), but I will have to keep an eye out for your name and read yours from now on. Well done.
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Hi Jacqui,
I liked your article too and on a non-football related topic you are a bit of a babe if you dont mind me saying so...
Paul in Ireland.
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floridaRoberto62 wrote:
"Since the Beeb does not transmit to Florida, I am listening to the Euro 2008 on my laptop"
-- What is the link for listening in the States ?
Jacqui, good article, thanks.
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Bilic seems a little bit of a patriot. And a wealthy one probably, what with having been a professional footballer up until not too long ago. therefore it is reasonable to assume that money is not going to be his god. i think that he should stay where he is a little while longer because then he will certainly be an idol among his countrymen for the rest of his life. that is something that no amount of money will ever be able to buy.
Besides, which Premier-League chairman is going to allow his manager to strum on a guitar during office hours?
If all he makes is the quoted figure each year then he is something of a rarity in the upper echelons of football - someone not completely financially minded. Bravo.
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Hi jacqui,
great positive and refreshing article. i think you are doing a grand job, keep up the good work!!! x x x
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To floridaRoberto62:
What do you mean Portugal might win their group if they beat the Czech Republic and the Swiss. If you win all your games no-one can get more points than you. Not trying to be narky; just making a point
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wow i never knew how hot jacqui was.
i'll listen more when she's on the radio now
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He's pretty much the only reason i like Croatia as a football team, that and the facts it seems your name must end in "ic" to play for them.
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Great article. Bilic sounds like a great character - we need people like this in the Prem to counterbalance all the oh so serious managers a la Wenger and Ferguson.
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For cob_de_man, and johnwd5: I respect your viewpoint. I was already making my opinion based on what I have been hearing and seeing on the Internet. I heard Portugal VS Turkey on Portuguese Radio and TV as well as hearing Croatia VS Austria on the French Section of Swiss Radio. I heard both on the internet.
For Jacqui: You are one of my favourite sports comentators in the BBC and I liked this article. I am willing to predict that Germany will win Group B.
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Got to say you are a real find. Love your reporting. Keep it up.
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The Netherlands in my opinion was a big surprise for Group C. I expected a better performance from Romania but the Netherlands will win Group C. I am with Spain. I hope Spain defeats Russia.
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Jacqui: I am currently listening to Spain VS Russia on the internet via Spanish National Radio. We are resisting Russia. Roberto.
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Jacqui: We have scored the first goal with Villa. I am celebrating with two cups of coffee. Roberto.
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Jacqui: Another one for Spain. I'm sorry to write this but I had to celebrate it. Roberto.
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Jacqui: Spain with Villa is very good. The third goal has been a charm.
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