BBC SPORT | Euro 2008 blog

So many memories, so little space

Jake Humphrey
29 Jun 08, 07:00 PM

Vienna

Well, it was a long time in arriving and flew by quicker than I can believe. Euro 2008 has been my first tournament for BBC Sport, and what a special three weeks it's been. But now it's time to start packing for home.

All the presents I've bought seem like a bad idea now and just will not fit into a suitcase that was already full in the way out...great planning, Jake!!

My suitcase may be full, but it's positively vacuous compared to the memories filling up the grey matter and taking up so much space I'll never find anywhere for all that Olympic research. In no particular order, these are some of the things from Euro 2008 that will live with me for a long, long time...

The studio

Now if you are a TV geek, which I am, there is something magical about television studios. Millions of people are peering into them one moment, seconds later the lights are off and the set is empty, all life gone. It reminds me a bit of the time I saw Basil Brush being packed away in a metal box. Most disturbing!

Well, being the first presenter to transmit live from our fantastic home here in the heart of Vienna was something special, an ambition realised to follow in the footsteps of my broadcasting heroes - and very, very nerve-racking at the same time.

The matches

Wow! For someone brought up on a diet of mid-table mediocrity and subsequent relegation from the top flight, I have feasted on the way the managers, teams and fans have approached the tournament. The players have been magnanimous, skillful and honest; the managers passionate, hungry and ambitious; and the fans have reacted as they should.

Turkey fans have given us so much pleasure

Turkey and their followers deserve a special mention. I haven't seen such heart since my team did the business over Bayern Munich... that was a long time ago and was well worth the wait.

The Dutch

I was only nine when Marco made 'that' volley look so easy. Although it led to years of frustration as I tried to recreate it against the wall of the electricity sub-station next to my parents' house, it was a watershed moment for me. That was the tournament that told me how special this game can be.

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Therefore, to meet the man himself in the build-up to the tournament - and then see his team light the blue touch paper that helped turn this from just another European Championship to a stand-out success - was something of a dream.

The managers

I am a big fan of messers O'Neill and Strachan. I think their knowledge and passion for football was evident every time they appeared on screen. They are astutely aware of what's needed to be a success in this game, hence why they're so successful.

I had to listen carefully as Gordon punctuated his thoughts on the game with the odd quip or anecdote for fear of missing something, which I'm sure I invariably did. I didn't get the chance to work with Martin, but I could listen to him talk all evening. We went out for a meal as Russia defeated the Netherlands. We were either watching the game or I was asking him questions. I just hope my inquisitive chatter wasn't too intrusive.

I also hope you've enjoyed the coverage we've provided. We've had a team of really talented editors, researchers, camera men and producers working round the clock to try to make the unique atmosphere here in Austria and Switzerland transfer directly to your living room. I hope you've appreciated their efforts and talents, I certainly have.

I'm still pinching myself that I'm here, sharing a drink with Lawro, a cab with Motty and the show with you guys at home. I might have to leave something behind to avoid an excess charge at the airport, but it won't be my memories, that's for sure.

Jake Humphrey is a presenter, working on Football Focus, Match Of The Day and Score. Please check our FAQs if you have any questions.

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1. At 10:29pm on 29 Jun 2008, espana08 wrote:
thanks for the coverage in this wonderful and truely unforgettable tournament BBC; every time a major tournament gets underway i get goosebumps, and i really enjoy those short videos you do- highlighting the tournaments best bits: like the fans and the ups and downs.
LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORLD CUP, possibly in SA! see you soon for the start of the premier league, COME ON SPURS!
Rob, Malaga (Spain)

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2. At 10:38pm on 29 Jun 2008, detritus66 wrote:
Wish I was in Spain now .what a PARTY..wonder if it will still be on in 3 weeks when I get there?

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3. At 04:42am on 30 Jun 2008, sevenseaman wrote:
Talk of Euro 2008 memories that'll linger...
The foremost will always be the gritty Turks. Ever seen a team so depleted thru injury or suspension and yet fight so valiantly till the very end and to the last man? Other teams had to live with the fear of a turn around any moment.
The sublime Dutch who were put out by a rare spell of brilliance by the Russians. The Dutch didn't deserve to fall by the wayside so cruelly. One thought Marco really had a winning machine that stalled at a critical juncture.
Spain laid on delectable footy all along and deserve their glory. However they passed too close to the slaughter house when they escaped Italy through penalties. They must continue to shiver at the thought of what might have been.
And last though not the least, the workmanlike Germans. One will do well to remember that it is not for nothing that they come up as favourites in most tournaments. If Ballack had had a blast they'd be celebrating now.

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4. At 11:33am on 30 Jun 2008, londonnaeemd
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5. At 11:35am on 30 Jun 2008, londonnaeemd wrote:
We never found out Marco Van Basten's opinion as to what was the second best Euro goal ever?

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6. At 8:45pm on 30 Jun 2008, quickquip wrote:
If you are a TV geek, then your grey matter will soon be as positively vacuous as your suitcase. There is something desponding about millions of people peering into television studios in collective torpor. Seconds later the lights are off and the set is empty and fortunately then virtual reality is gone and they can return to life. Perhaps you can get away with watching a few matches from time to time, but anything more than that is too much television. And watching the matches is best enhanced by turning off the sound so as to be relieved of the intrusive chatter of the army of superfluous presenters and commentators feeding off the event. Without being told by the talking heads, "the fans reacted as they should". Kurdistan and their followers deserve a special mention. You'll never see such heart as they displayed in rooting Germany on to victory over Turkey!

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7. At 11:12pm on 01 Jul 2008, pat_the_yogi_mask wrote:
Hey Jack,
I'm certain that you've interviewed hundreds of fans during the tournament, me being one of them as I was disguised as Yogi L�w (wearing a face mask - btw: thanks thomas). I gave you the hottest info on balacks health status 20 minutes before the final game in fan zone vienna... now I'm looking all over the bbc website for the video of it. I know that it was broadcast because my friend thomas - who made the mask - had a collegue from the UK email him, asking whether that was his mask on TV.
Can you please tell me where I can get the feed of the Jack Humphrey interview with "Yogi L�w" in Fan Zone Vienna that was broadcast in England 20 Minutes before the final match??? Anyone???
I'm German and I couldn't find anyone to record it. Send Email to patrick.nikolai@gmail.com... anyone. Youtube link, archive link??? Will I get a nomination for breakthru performance on TV???

Yours,
Pat the Yogi mask

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