Euro 2012: fun while it lasted...

Everyone has a view or two on England's performance in Euro 2012. Here are some of mine:

- The positives?  Much better than our showing in South Africa 2010. The team looked relaxed and played with more discipline and spirit than we've seen from England for some time. Defence was strong, because that's how the team was set up. We won the group. 

- The less positives?  Still deficient in possession compared to the top sides. Lacking impact up front and attacking potential/intent throughout the side. Squad is thin, hence the inclusion of some players who were out of their depth (e.g. Young, Henderson).

- Hodgson?  8/10. His appointment was vindicated, and his international experience showed. Can take much of the credit for the improved desire, confidence, spirit and discipline in the team. That said, even with a lack of creative class to work with, you'd like to see an England team put out that looks like it could score a few. Couldn't we be more positive? For example, after Walcott's contribution against Sweden, surely he should have featured more?

- Good performances?  Wellbeck, Gerrard, Parker and the back four all impressed. Carroll, Walcott and Oxtail-Chambermaid contributed when their chance came, although more minutes on the pitch from one or all of them might have improved England's chances of scoring.

- Disappointments?  Hart was less solid in goal than you'd expect. Young was poor, Milner only OK. 

- Rooney?  2/10. Not at the races. Seemed almost mellow and carefree, but at least he didn't misbehave. Maybe Roy slipped some Valium into his Lucozade. Hasn't delivered for England since 2004. I would like to see him tried as a super sub.

- England and penalties?  Having played in a few competitive games (where absolutely nothing but pride is at stake!), I have some idea of how the tension of the moment can affect performance. Still, you'd hope for better from pros. 

- Chances in World Cup 2014?  Another quarter final exit is on the cards, but we could always get lucky.

Smiles in Egypt

Egypt is still very much in the news, and I've been looking back at my photos from a trip there in 1998. There are a few of pyramids, naturally, and hookah pipes and Red Sea snorkelling. But the image below - just a happy family scene from Alexandria - caught my eye.

Jubilations

Polls continue to show overwhelming support for the Queen and the whole idea of monarchy. Only a fifth or so of us support a move to a republic. Even the Australians opted to keep the Queen as their head of state when they had a free choice - yes, really, Australians (see here).

So what conclusions can we draw from the apparently unswerving popularity of the monarchy?

• A lot of people like the status quo. Conservatism runs deeper than we might think, even among younger generations.
• That said, I suspect there are a lot of people who would like to see a scaled-down, more self-sufficient royal family, but who wouldn't go as far as calling for abolition and a republic.
• If you can get away with it, saying very little and promising even less is a great strategy for staying popular and out of trouble. Politicians must wish they had this option, but of course they have to compete for votes and actually do stuff that affects our lives, so it's not.
• Britain will be a monarchy for the foreseeable future, although the Queen will no doubt be a tough act to follow. Maybe the scaled-down option will start to come into play once she is no more on the throne.
• Arguing the rational case for a republic with monarchists (i.e. the majority) is about as fruitful as arguing the case for the non-existence of god with people of faith. This is about heart, not head.

Hope everyone enjoys the long Jubilee weekend!