By Phil McNulty and Paul Fletcher
Our men in Portugal |
 Molby was pictured with a couple of English 'wide boys' |
Kidderminster boss Jan Molby was on form when he arrived to cover France's game with England for Danish TV. Molby was collared by a group of high-spirited, but well-behaved England fans keen to grab a photo of the Dane.
Molby, often teased about his weight during his career, was joined by two hefty members of England's support.
Molby glanced at his companions either side and told the photographer: "You're going to have to move a lot further back than that."
France's Lilian Thuram was so keen to bask in the glory of his country's win against England that he almost had to catch a taxi back to the team hotel. Thuram broke off his journey to the team coach to conduct an interview with a glamorous female journalist who wanted a few words of wisdom.
The defender was swiftly into his stride - the only interruption coming from the sound of France's team bus pulling out of the stadium.
Cue swift end to interview and a sprint to the coach, which he reached just in time.
Newly-knighted Sir Trevor Brooking was deservedly capturing some attention as a member of the England party preparing for the game against France. Brooking was walking through the mixed zone - the area where players and managers mingle with press for interviews - when he was stopped for a chat about England's chances.
Unfailingly polite as ever, he was showered with congratulations and talked up England into the bargain.
He said a win against France would "complete" the perfect weekend. Sadly...
The pressures of management in the Premiership are enough to take their toll on even the most resolute individual. No more so than when your club - supposedly a top side - struggles at the bottom end of the table.
It was a reassuring sight, therefore, to see David Pleat, now relieved of his duties at Tottenham, enjoying the Porto sunshine.
Pleat looked very relaxed in designer shades and baseball cap, reading the paper and munching on a sandwich.
Maybe he should tell Jacques Santini what lies in wait when he reaches White Hart Lane.
Swimming lessons, the Portuguese education system and Paul Scholes don't seem to have much in common. But listening to the Portuguese commentary for England's game against France suggested otherwise.
The commentator had clearly done his homework and his pronunciation was generally excellent.
Apart from Scholes, for whom he spent the entire match matching referring to "Pool Schools".
The Danish supporters were out in force in Porto on Sunday relaxing ahead of their game against Italy in Guimaraes on Monday. They enthusiastically cheered on England and several spent the entire match confidently predicting Sven-Goran Eriksson's team would hold on.
The drama at the end prompted a quick debate in Danish as they discussed how to cheer up one distraught England supporter.
The conclusion? Four huge Danes attempting some of the worst Ali G impressions ever seen.
MMIX
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