Not hockey (so far)

Wondering if Italy is thinking about dropping Pirlo for the France match. If Holland take the three from Rumania, it could set up the 2006 World Cup rematch top dream of: win if you want to live.

Benzema isn't in the starting 11 against Holland. I was hoping to see the form which allegedly makes him so coveted, esp. by Sir Alex. Andy Gray says he's too young to play in the hole.

Have to begrudgingly admit respecting Dirk Kuyt. He may be dorky but he is no donkey. If Gerrard had Kuyt's bottle right now England would be on the continent.

In the first half Adrian Healey and Andy Gray discussed Thierry Henry's goals for France. Instead of telling us how many of his 44 strikes in 101 games came in friendly matches, they just vaguely concurred with the notion that Henry may be a great goal scorer but perhaps not often enough a scorer of great goals.

People from somewhere else perhaps with some justification have accused American sports broadcasting of being stats happy. Maybe the commentators in this instance would have done well to provide the audience reportage, American style. Must be better than gossip, right?

Adrian later in the half mused that Henry doesn't score many with his head. Andy said, "few and far between."

These guys maybe don't like Henry? One of the few footballers American audiences see in commercials yet he seems to rank high for stick among certain fans. At Barcelona this campaign past he allegedly experienced tough-season like-symptoms.

Watching the game delayed two hours. At the half I search for Henry's goal scoring record. It isn't going well. So I give up. Along the way I noticed he actually had 45 goals in 101 appearances. A few minutes later, I realize he would end up scoring in the Holland game.

After the game does one say Henry had a great match or no?

Henry scored an insurance goal for Arsenal in a league match I was watching. Then he retrieved the ball from the net and handed it to the beaten keeper. Real class, that.

First time I ever had almost-tripping like-symptoms was during a shot of Hargreaves entering the director's box at OT during a Man U game. The arc of the whole culture thing never seemed so brilliant. Happened again with Robben, Sneijder and Van Persie. The wunderkids of the Old World gig must be heavy. Real Madrid times two and Arsenal: when healthy each is automatic first 11 . As they are for Holland.

Can see why that boy Ronaldo must play for the world's number 1 club.