I can only say i was so confident as to tell everyone at the offshore conference that, no problem, 3-1 with no extra time.

But when i saw who was starting, my heart choked in my throat, and i had fear. By the play this fear was never sent away.

Still, in my alternate universe, I look forward to tomorrow night's match in the Final against Spain.

Most everyone here is trying to just say, well, they played badly. But that doesn't quite encapsulate how badly they played.

Of course the Bayern guys were thankful they didn't come second.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin