WHAT price would a betting man have got for Germany, Spain and Italy all going home after the first stages of Euro 2004?

The Italians, who get heavily criticised whenever they return after any sort of embarrassment, will surely get some sympathy after going out with five points, while in another group Greece got through with four.

Talking about betting, the odds on a 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark, which would see them both through, were dramatically slashed and, of course, that's how it ended.

We hear mutterings of conspiracy but I watched the game on TV and undoubtedly there was no quarter given when it came to tackling

Under normal circumstances, apart from the last 90 seconds when Sweden kept possession without a Danish player going anywhere near them, no doubts at all could be levelled against the result.

However, having been a TV panellist for many years covering five World Cups and many other tournaments in between, I couldn't believe that the BBC panel, which included Peter Schmeichel, didn't single out the Danish goalkeeper Tommy Sorensen.

He cost his team both goals, one with a David James-type bringing down of a Swedish forward in the penalty area, then right at the end palming the ball down in the six-yard box for the equaliser.

The panel were too nice and didn't spotlight to me what was obvious.

The ten outfield players certainly battled away, but the keeper made two glaring errors.

Another factor which stood out is an old chestnut of mine - the number of international coaches from around Europe who are in their 60s and some, like the Croatian manager, older than that.

It proves that a lifetime in club management is needed before entering the international arena.

These fellows are much better prepared to handle the massive media presence and have got to the stage where handling players and gaining their respect is easier.

That is unless you coach Holland. Yet again, they have been pulling each other apart.

Dick Advocaat, an old friend of mine, who while not in the 60s age bracket yet, will certainly look and feel as though he is by the end of this tournament after being heavily criticised by his own press and players for his substitutions in the second game.

So he must have been delighted with a 3-0 win against Latvia. While the Germans were packing their bags, Dick was looking forward to a place in the quarter-finals.